Articles
TABC posts interesting and informative articles about the agency and how the alcoholic beverage industry in Texas works.
Beware of fraudulent TABC communications
TABC has learned that one of its license holders recently received an email from someone impersonating a TABC official. We believe this may be part of a malicious email campaign. While TABC is working with cybersecurity authorities to identify and stop the sender, multiple licensees may have already received one of the fraudulent emails. Emails sent by TABC to license or permit holders generally originate from the “tabc.texas.gov” email domain. Official TABC emails are sent to license or permit holders from that domain — including direct emails from TABC staff, agency newsletters and emails generated by the Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS). In less common cases, a license or permit holder may receive an official TABC email from a different domain. An example of this would be responses to open records requests, which are sent from the "govqa.us" domain. If you receive an email claiming to be from TABC and have questions about its legitimacy, contact agency staff using the information below. Never open an attachment or click a link in an email that you think may be fraudulent. Additional tips for identifying illegitimate emails and websites: Look closely at the full web address and email address. Scammers often change one letter or add extra words. Be cautious when opening links and attachments. Hover over links to view the real URL destination. Review file names. Do not click on anything that looks suspicious. Be suspicious of urgent language, though TABC will use urgent language if necessary to alert you to important deadlines or interruptions to critical services. Contact TABC if you ever doubt whether a message originated from the agency.
Read moreTABC redesigns certificate for completing seller/server certification
TABC has redesigned the certificate issued to bartenders, cashiers and servers who successfully complete an agency-approved seller/server certification course. The seller/server certification course teaches the laws and rules of responsible alcoholic beverage sales and service in Texas, in addition to intervention techniques to prevent sales to minors and intoxicated customers. Once an employee completes seller/server certification, they are issued a certificate as proof of their successful completion. Each certificate is valid for two years and must be renewed by taking the training again after a certificate expires. The design change does not impact the validity of current seller/server certifications. Training schools may still issue certificates in the older design to trainees as they make the switch. Employers and employees should check the Certificate Inquiry System to verify the status of a TABC seller/server certification. The certificate was redesigned in August 2026 to align with the agency’s branding standards.
Read moreAIMS now supports Google Pay, Apple Pay
TABC license and permit holders using the Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) can now pay for transactions with Google Pay or Apple Pay for quicker checkout and improved convenience. These options are available for all AIMS transactions on supported devices and browsers. AIMS also supports payments made by credit card and automated clearing house (ACH). Google Pay and Apple Pay are digital wallet services that allow users to store payment information and make secure payments. When completing a payment in AIMS, you now have the option to choose Google Pay or Apple Pay during checkout. The option will appear if your device and browser support the chosen payment service. TABC license and permit holders use AIMS to pay for most related fees, such as excise taxes and application fees for new licenses and permits, renewals, and product registrations. Please visit our How to Use AIMS page to get guides and agency contact information for AIMS support.
Read moreIt’s time to conduct 2026 compliance reports
Businesses must complete a 2026 compliance report (i.e., self-inspection) for each of their TABC-licensed and permitted locations in Texas through AIMS by June 30, 2026. This requirement only applies to businesses with a primary license or originally issued in 2024 or before. No compliance report is due in 2026 for licenses and permits originally issued in 2025 or 2026. Completing a compliance report helps TABC confirm that your business is following the law. Failing to file a report on time could result in a visit from TABC, an administrative warning, or suspension or cancellation of your license.
Read moreYear in TABC: Top news stories of 2025
The most-viewed news stories on the TABC website reflect a year of transformation for the agency — one that included new leadership, major enforcement operations, and the regulation of the state's hemp industry. It was an undoubtedly busy year for TABC, so we wanted to take a look back. We compiled a list of the five most-viewed news releases posted in 2025. You can be the first to see our news releases by signing up for TABC Notifications and following us on social media.
Read moreIndustry Notice: Provisional Product Registration and Impact of Federal Government Reopening
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission began accepting and approving Provisional Product Registration Applications last month when the U.S. federal government shut down. However, the government reopened on Nov. 13, which means TABC is no longer accepting or approving provisional applications, and any business with an approved provisional product registration must take prompt action in accordance with TABC Rule 45.12.
Read moreIndustry Notice: Impacts of the federal government shutdown
The U.S. federal government has shut down for an unknown period while Congress works to pass a funding agreement. As a result, federal agencies have halted various services — including the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). This may prevent applicants for TABC licenses, permits, and product registrations from obtaining the federal documents necessary to complete their TABC applications. Read this notice for more information.
Read moreIndustry Notice: TABC adopts emergency rules on consumable hemp products, effective immediately
At TABC’s commission meeting today, the agency took action to implement Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-56 by adopting two emergency rules to prohibit TABC license and permit holders from providing consumable hemp products (CHPs) to minors.
Read moreIndustry Notice: HB 4463 changes to take effect for nonresident brewers on Sept. 1, 2025
With the passage of House Bill 4463 during the regular session of the 89th Texas Legislature, changes will take effect on Sept. 1, 2025, impacting holders of a Nonresident Brewer's License (BN) and their requirements for product registration.
Read morePrompt action required to complete 2025 compliance report(s) by June 30
Businesses have just a few weeks left to complete compliance report(s) for their licensed or permitted locations in Texas, and any others shown in AIMS as having an unsubmitted report. Failure to meet this deadline may result in a visit from TABC, an administrative warning, or suspension or cancellation of the license/permit. What: You must conduct a 2025 compliance report (i.e., self-inspection) for each of your TABC-licensed or permitted locations in Texas if the primary license or permit was originally issued in 2023 or before. No compliance report is due in 2025 for licenses and permits originally issued in 2024 or 2025. Why: Compliance reporting helps us confirm that your business is following the law. Failing to file a report on time may result in a visit from TABC, an administrative warning, or suspension or cancellation of the license. When: Start and finish your compliance report(s) between Jan. 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025.
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