NEW YORK - April 23, 2020 - A group of small importers of craft spirits, wines and beer called Small Importers Partnership (SIP) is banding together to seek redress from the U.S. Congress for tax refunds overdue by two years or more. As the small family businesses that make up the craft spirits market have been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, these businesses recognized they had a common problem: that the Craft Beverage Modernization Act, while welcome, had left them with significant unpaid refunds of excise taxes for craft drinks enjoyed by millions.

The Small Importers Partnership (SIP) was founded by Nate Whitehouse of Drifter Spirits, Arik Torren of Fidencio Spirits, Raj Sabharwal of Glass Revolution and Christine Cooney of Heavenly Spirits, the group has recently expanded to many other affected importers, including groups like Fortaleza Tequila.

"Without these funds, many small brands like Kleos risk going out of business. All of my bar and restaurant clients are shut down around the country. I started my company out of my apartment via a passion to share my Greek-American heritage, and the funds I am owed in CBMA refunds will make the difference between the end of my entrepreneurial dream, and living to rebuild after COVID," says Effie Panagolopous of Kleos Imports.

While the Craft Beverage Modernization Act was passed in 2017 to reduce excise taxes on small, craft distillers, the majority of the importers paid the full tax rate in 2018 and part of 2019 because of delayed guidance from the U.S. government. SIP currently has on board seventeen affected companies with over three million dollars in overdue refunds. It is seeking more affected people to join the cause.

The Small Importers Project is to develop targeted advocacy with Members of Congress with oversight over CBP and TTB to pay attention to this issue, to help ensure that these claims are processed in a timely manner to keep the group's businesses solvent through the challenges of COVID-19.

If you are an affected importer, SIP requests for affected groups to add your name to the list of signatories that will be using in meetings with the relevant Congressional offices. To learn more about specifics, please e-mail nate@drifterspirits.com.

SIP is not seeking new funding from Congress, but simply asking for funds which are due to its members that would help them through this crisis.

Contact
Nate Whitehouse