KOMBUCHA

Andrea Salinas

Democrat · OR · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Adrian Smith (R-NE-3)Original· 2026-04-30

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

2026-04-30

Source: Congress.gov

The proposal would prevent the federal government from taxing or regulating low-alcohol kombucha as an alcoholic beverage, even though it contains some alcohol. This would primarily benefit kombucha producers and consumers by keeping the drink exempt from the excise taxes and regulations that apply to beer, wine, and other alcoholic products. The change would clarify the tax treatment of kombucha, which is a fermented tea beverage that typically contains less than 1% alcohol by volume.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8631 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8631 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that low alcohol by volume kombucha is exempt from any excise taxes and any regulations under chapter 53 of such Code which are imposed on alcoholic beverages. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 30, 2026 Ms. Salinas (for herself and Mr. Smith of Nebraska) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that low alcohol by volume kombucha is exempt from any excise taxes and any regulations under chapter 53 of such Code which are imposed on alcoholic beverages. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Keeping Our Manufacturers from Being Unfairly taxed while Championing Health Act'' or ``KOMBUCHA''. SEC. 2. TAX-FREE PRODUCTION OF LOW ALCOHOL BY VOLUME KOMBUCHA. (a) Exemption From Tax on Wine.--Section 5042(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Low alcohol by volume kombucha.-- ``(A) In general.--Subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, low alcohol by volume kombucha shall not be subject to-- ``(i) tax as wine, or ``(ii) the provisions of subchapter F. ``(B) Definition.--For purposes of this chapter, the term `low alcohol by volume kombucha' means a beverage which-- ``(i) is fermented solely by a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, ``(ii) contains not more than 1.25 percent of alcohol by volume, ``(iii) is sold or offered for sale as kombucha, and ``(iv) is derived from-- ``(I) fermentable sugars, including sugar, malt or malt substitute, honey, and fruit juice, and ``(II) plant materials, including tea and coffee.''. (b) Exemption From Tax on Beer.--Section 5053 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (j), and (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following new subsection: ``(i) Production of Low Alcohol by Volume Kombucha.--Subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, low alcohol by volume kombucha (as defined in section 5042(a)(4)(B)) shall not be subject to-- ``(1) tax as beer, or ``(2) the provisions of subchapter G.''. (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to calendar quarters beginning after the date of enactment of this Act. <all>

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