The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury. Our programs are designed to help us enforce the laws regulating alcohol production, importation, and wholesale businesses; tobacco manufacturing and importing businesses; and alcohol labeling and advertising. Our vision is to be a model for next generation government in the regulation, taxation and science of alcohol and tobacco products.
Our Mission
Collect
the taxes on alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition
Protect
the consumer by ensuring the integrity of alcohol products
Ensure
only qualified businesses enter the alcohol and tobacco industries
Prevent
unfair and unlawful market activity for alcohol and tobacco products
Who We Are
Mary G. Ryan is the Administrator for the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
TTB is made up of 7 directorates, which includes our headquarters offices, laboratories, the National Revenue Center, and several field offices throughout the U.S., including Puerto Rico.
Our organizational chart shows how the TTB offices are organized and who is responsible for directing them.
What We Do
$16.8B
Industry Collections
Annually, we collect over $16B in federal excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, firearms and ammunition.
24K
Permits Issued
Annually, we process approximately 8K original and 16K amended permit applications for alcohol and tobacco businesses.
180K
COLAs Processed
Annually, we process nearly 180K applications for Certificates of Label Approval (COLA), a federal certification required before an alcohol beverage can be bottled or introduced into domestic commerce.
We enforce the laws regulating alcohol production, importation, and wholesale businesses; tobacco manufacturing and importing businesses; and alcohol labeling and advertising.
We offer public guidance—including rulings, procedures, delegation orders, industry circulars, and more—to help you understand TTB regulations, policies, and other requirements.
Our TTB Fact Sheets quickly and clearly convey key information about frequently requested topics in a concise and easily digestible format.
Our History
The history of taxation and regulatory control on the alcohol and tobacco industries is as old as our nation itself. The roots of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s vision and mission date back to the first federal taxes levied on distilled spirits in 1791. Since that time, Treasury and its bureaus have played an integral role in writing the History of the Treasury and in defining our nation’s identity.
On November 26, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Homeland Security Act of 2002. One provision of this Act divided the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms into two new agencies: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), which is under the Department of Justice, and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which remained in the Department of the Treasury. TTB enforces the federal laws related to the production and taxation of alcohol and tobacco products. TTB also collects all excise tax on the manufacture of firearms and ammunition.
The TTB Story
Plans and Reports
Our annual report highlights TTB’s accomplishments and performance and also provides financial information on operations during the fiscal year.
Our strategic plan defines our long-term strategic goals and objectives and outlines the actions we will take to achieve them.
Our submissions include budget priorities, past performance levels, and extensive financial information.
Contact TTB
If you don’t find the information you’re looking for in our Frequently Asked Questions, visit our Contact TTB page.
We share information and help with voluntary compliance through education and outreach. Contact us to request TTB participation in conferences, webinars, or other events related to our mission.
