CIDER Act Passes As Part Of The Year-End Tax Extenders Bill

Posted by David Eddy|December 21, 2015

The United States Association of Cider Makers applauds the inclusion of the Cider Industry Deserves Equal Regulation (CIDER) Act language in the year-end tax extenders package, which was passed Friday. The CIDER Act will update the current tax definition of hard cider to make American-made hard ciders more competitive in international markets and increase flexibility for hard cider makers investing in the fast-growing beverage alcohol category.

“This legislation represents a huge step forward for cider makers throughout the nation,” said USACM President, Mike Beck of Uncle John’s Hard Cider Company. “We are excited for the positive impact it will have on the U.S. (hard) cider industry, which is growing rapidly and creating small manufacturing and agricultural jobs across the country”.

The legislation amends the section of the Internal Revenue Code (26 USC Section 5041) that defines hard cider. Passage of this legislation makes small hard cider producers more competitive in the market by giving them increased flexibility in production and ingredients and brings the U.S. hard cider definition into line with international standards for alcohol by volume, carbonation, and allowable recipes.

The USACM is an organization of hard cider and perry (from pears) producers in the U.S. It gathers and shares information about hard cider production, hard cider regulations, and hard cider apple growing to help members improve their operations, raise awareness, and advance hard cider in the market.