State Board of Equalization News Release
For Immediate Release
May 27, 2016
NR 53-16-G
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
New Law Raises Licensing Fees for Cigarettes and Tobacco Products
Sacramento – Sellers of cigarettes and tobacco products will see their licensing fees increase starting June 9, 2016. The increased fees are a result of Assembly Bill x2 11, which was signed into law on May 4 and increases the Cigarette and Tobacco Products License application and renewal fees for retailers, wholesalers, and distributors to provide additional funding for cigarette and tobacco products tax compliance. This new law is effective the same day that the age for purchasing cigarettes and tobacco products raises from 18 to 21 years old. License applications can be submitted through the Board of Equalization’s (BOE) online registration system.
The BOE administers a statewide program to license cigarette and tobacco products manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers (Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act of 2003). Currently, retailers pay a one-time licensing fee of $100 per location where these products are sold. The new law will require them to pay $265 annually for each location. Distributors and wholesalers currently pay $1,000 per calendar year per location. The new law will require them to pay $1,200 per calendar year per location.
Listed below are the fees that go into effect on June 9, 2016 for all new licenses.
| License Type |
Old Application Fee (On or before June 8, 2016) |
New Application Fee (On or After June 9, 2016) |
| Retailer | $100 per location | $265 per location |
| Wholesaler/Distributor | $1,000 per location | $1,200 per location |
Beginning January 1, 2017, the new law also imposes an annual renewal fee of $265 for retailer licenses and increases the wholesaler and distributor license annual renewal fee to $1,200. The new renewal fee amounts are shown below.
| License Type |
Old Renewal Fee (On or before December 31, 2016) |
New Renewal Fee (On or After January 1, 2017) |
| Retailer | $0 | $265 per location per year |
| Wholesaler/Distributor | $1,000 per location per calendar year | $1,200 per location per calendar year |
