How to Get an Oregon Liquor License

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Who Needs an Oregon Liquor License?

If you import, manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages in the state of Oregon, you will need to be properly licenses by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC).

What Does the Licensing Process Involve?

The major steps in the licensing process are:

1.������ Determine which type of liquor license is needed. There are 20 different license types, each with its own set of requirements and fee.

2.������ Decide where the business will be located. You will need to work with the OLCC office that serves that area.

3.������ Complete the license form and other required documentation. Submit them together as your application packet to the appropriate OLLC office.

4.������ The OLCC will give you some documents to review that need to be completed by local officials in the city or county where the business is located. This serves as their recommendation to OLCC as to whether or not the license should be granted.

5.������ The OLC�s investigation typically takes 4-8 weeks. Your license fee will be due only after your license has been approved.

For certain license types, a specific type of surety bond known as a privilege tax bond may be required.

Why is a Surety Bond Required?

An Oregon Liquor Privilege Tax surety bond is a guarantee that the license holder will remit the applicable sales and use tax to the state of Oregon. It is often referred to as a sales tax bond.

How the Process of Obtaining an Oregon Liquor License Works

A Privilege Tax surety bond agreement is a legally binding contract among three parties:

-������ The �obligee� requiring the bond (OLCC)

-������ The �principal� purchasing the bond (the licensee)

-������ The �surety� underwriting and issuing the bond (the surety bond company)

Any violation of the terms of the surety bond agreement can result in OLCC filing a claim against the bond to collect the amount due to the state. �Typically, the surety will pay the claim, even though that�s the legal responsibility of the principal. The surety is indemnified against liability for claims.

The payment is made on behalf of the principal, who must then reimburse the surety in full. Essentially, the advance payment is an extension of credit to the principal, which gives the principal time to gather the funds to cover the claim.

What Does It Cost?

Surety bonds are sold for an annual premium that is a small percentage of the required bond amount.� The obligee, the OLC, establishes the required bond amount based on the business�s sales history. The surety sets the premium rate based primarily on the principal�s personal credit score.

With a high credit score, the premium rate can be as low as 1% to 3%. But someone with a low credit score could pay as much as 10% to 15% of the required bond amount.

Get Bonded Today

If you need a surety bond to get or renew your liquor license, our surety bond experts will help you get one at a competitive rate.

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