$215 milion in revenue from Philadelphia liquor taxes, fees

Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz has announced today the city’s restaurants, bars, clubs and similar businesses have generated $215 million over the last five years from liquor licensing fees and liquor by the drink tax.

The revenue is part of the monthly economic report, released today by the city controller’s office.

According to the report, the majority of the revenue, $209.8 million, was generated by the 10 percent liquor by the drink tax that is on every retail sale of wine, liquor or malt and brewed beverages.

Butkovitz says the tax revenue was remitted to the Philadelphia School District.

According to the report, the remaining $5.6 million was a result of payments the City received from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) for a portion of the money generated by liquor licenses and permits issued in Philadelphia.

You can read the entire Economic Forecast and Monthly Snapshot by clicking here.