The Cook County Department of Revenue has provided guidance to sweetened beverage distributors and retailers regarding the close-out process for the Cook County sweetened beverage tax. The tax has been repealed effective December 1, 2017, and the last tax returns/payments will be due on December 20, 2017. In the case that on December 1, 2017 there is unsold product on which tax was previously remitted, the Department has provided the following guidelines:
The Department has developed new forms that can be used to assist with the credit/refund process: 2017 Sweetened Beverage Retailer Inventory Credit Request Form and Schedule A, and Sweetened Beverage Tax Distributor Credit Form Schedule.
The Department may request additional documentation from the business seeking a credit/refund. If the claim cannot be substantiated by adequate books and records, it will not be allowed. Any documents that record the basis for a credit/refund should be retained by retailers and distributors for seven years. For additional details on the close-out process and the forms mentioned above, visit the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax webpage. (Sweetened Beverage Tax Close-Out Process, Cook County Department of Revenue)