Possible Government Shutdown Could Disrupt TTB Services 

As of now, Congressional leaders and the White House have not reached agreement on a short-term funding bill to keep the federal government operating beyond Sept. 30, 2025, when current funding expires. Negotiations are still underway, but the risk of a federal shutdown beginning Oct. 1 is growing.

If the government does shut down, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) would temporarily close, and many of the functions wineries rely on would stop. While it’s impossible to predict the duration or scope of a shutdown, wineries should be aware of the potential impacts:

• No new approvals: Certificates of Label Approval (COLAs), formulas and permit applications will not be reviewed or approved during a shutdown. Applications can still be submitted electronically, but they won’t be processed until TTB reopens.

• Permit delays: Other permit-related requests, including updates to a business’s information, will also be unavailable.

• Backlogs: Once TTB resumes operations, significant backlogs and delays are possible. Businesses may be asked to withdraw duplicate or unnecessary applications to help clear the queue.

⚠️ IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Wineries must still file and pay excise taxes by the regular deadlines, even during a shutdown.

Wine Institute is actively advocating for full TTB funding to prevent service disruptions. We’ll keep you updated as the situation develops. In the meantime, please reach out to our Washington, D.C. office if you have any questions or need assistance.