Government Shutdown Possibility Looms -Submit Your Labels, Formulas and Permit Amendments Now 

Congress is not expected to pass appropriations bills this month, and a failure to do this will trigger a government shutdown effective on October 1^st.   

Historically, government shutdowns have resulted in TTB pausing their processing of COLA / Label Approvals/Exemptions, Formulas, and Permit Amendments/Applications. Due to this pause, a backlog of submissions is likely to accrue during the shutdown, which will delay approvals for an additional length of time beyond the shutdown.  

Out of an abundance of caution, we suggest that DSPs plan accordingly and submit items for TTB approval as soon as possible. 

Additionally: 

• DSP reporting and tax obligations / due dates remain unchanged in the event of a shutdown 
• TTB staff are unlikely to respond to inquiries or conduct field operations during a shutdown 
• If you are a semi-monthly tax filer (paying over $50,000/yr in tax), please note that September is the exceptional month which has 3 filing periods instead of 2. 

Read more about government shutdowns at the Brookings Institute: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-is-a-government-shutdown-and-why-are-we-likely-to-have-another-one/