Mixed Drinks In Texas Hit With New Sales Tax

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A change in Texas sales taxes could cost people buying mixed drinks at bars.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (http://bit.ly/19zgUYL ) that changes enacted by the Legislature that take effect Wednesday cut the taxes businesses pay on mixed drinks sold, from 14 percent to 6.7 percent. But purchasers of mixed drinks will pay a new sales tax of 8.25 percent — the same tax on beer and wine.

Michael Klein, president of the Texas Bar and Nightclub Alliance, says the new system is more complicated and creates room for error.

But Richie Jackson of the Texas Restaurant Association says he thinks vendors now have more flexibility.

Jackson predicts restaurants will handle the tax changes differently, with some choosing to pass along slightly higher taxes to customers and some not.

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Information from: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, http://www.star-telegram.com

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