Businesses selling malt beverages and/or wine must obtain a Wake County Beer and Wine License. Applications and license fee schedules are available from the Wake County Department of Tax Administration as required by N.C.G.S. 105-113.78.
Getting Your License
Any business selling malt beverages and/or wine in Wake County must obtain a Beer & Wine License from the Wake County Department of Tax Administration before making any sales. To obtain a license for the first time, submit the notarized application to our office. Payment may be mailed with the application or paid online. The initial application must be notarized. The license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually by April 30. A monthly penalty will accrue if the license is not renewed on time.
Before applying, businesses must first obtain a valid ABC Permit Number from the NC Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Once you have your ABC Permit Number, include it in the appropriate fields on the Wake County Beer & Wine Application. Pay online or mail payment with the appropriate fees to:
Wake County Tax Administration – Beer/Wine Division
P.O. Box 2719
Raleigh, NC 27602-2719
License Fees
| License Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| On-premises malt beverage | $25 |
| Off-premises malt beverage | $5 |
| On-premises wine | $25 |
| Off-premises wine | $25 |
Renewing Your Beer & Wine License
Renewal notices are mailed each March and must be completed by April 30. Wake County now offers online renewal and payment for Beer & Wine Licenses.
Online Renewal Eligibility Requirements
Before submitting your renewal, please confirm that your account meets all of the following requirements. You are responsible for ensuring eligibility prior to submission.
- No outstanding balances due, other than the current Beer & Wine renewal fee
- All property taxes paid under the same ownership, as required by N.C.G.S. 105-113.4A and 105-243.1
Please note: The online system does not verify all eligibility criteria at the time of submission. Submitting a renewal does not guarantee approval.
How to Renew Online
- Visit wake.gov/fileonline
- Enter your contact information and log in with your Account Number and PIN.
- Select Pay a Beer & Wine License
Review Process
All renewal submissions are manually reviewed within five business days. If your renewal is approved, your license will be sent via email. If any eligibility issues are identified during review, a representative will contact you to resolve them before the license is issued.
Online Payment Options
- eCheck/ACH bank draft – This option is free to use and has no processing fees
- Credit and debit cards – Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover
- Digital wallets – PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay and Google Pay
A processing fee is charged by the payment provider for secure handling of credit, debit or digital wallet transactions. This fee will be disclosed prior to payment authorization.
- Credit card: 2.3% of amount paid (minimum $1)
- Debit card: Flat fee of $3.95
- Digital wallet: 2.3% of amount paid (minimum $1)
Contact Us
Questions about the Beer & Wine License? Our office is happy to help.
- Phone: 919-856-5999
- Email: taxhelp@wake.gov
