Alcohol Licenses

Alcohol License Applications and Forms

All license applications and other forms connected with alcohol licenses are now available on the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission's website. Please follow the instructions, fill out the forms, print them out and submit them to the Board of Selectmen. Please ensure that the forms are complete as applications which are incomplete are likely to be rejected. In addition, per the ABCC, any application received without a Certificate of Good Standing will be rejected by the ABCC. Therefore, please ensure that as part of the submission of any application for New Officers/Directors/LLC Managers, Transfer of License (to be clear the COGS must come from the current licensee, not the applicant), Pledge of License/Stock, Transfer/Issuance of Stock, New Stockholder, Seasonal to Annual License, Adding Cordials/Liqueurs, Change of Corporate Name, Management Agreements, or Change of License from Wine & Malt to All Alcohol, that a Certificate of Good Standing is included with the application.

Certificates of Good Standing

In order to confirm that all licensees and applicants are in compliance with Massachusetts tax laws, a Certificate of Good Standing (“COGS”) from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue will be required for the following transactions submitted to the Local Board beginning March 1, 2018:

-         Transfer of License (certificate must be in the current/seller licensee name)

-         Change in Beneficial Interest

-         Pledge of License

-         Change of License Class (Seasonal, Annual)

-         Change in License Category (Wines and Malts, All Alcohol, etc.)

-         Change of Entity Name (certificate must be in the current corporate name)

-         Change of Corporate Structure (certificate must be in the current corporate structure)

-         Addition of a Management Agreement

-         PLEASE NOTE: a new licensee does not require a COGS

An applicant can obtain a COGS by visiting the Department of Revenue’s website: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/request-a-certificate-of-good-standing-tax-c... .

Finally, as a reminder, retail applicants should pay all ABCC application and amendment fees online.  Proof of payment should be included in the application/amendment packet sent to us.  Fees can be paid to the ABCC through our website: https://www.mass.gov/epay-for-online-payments-abcc

Payments to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission

Beginning Sunday, November 19, 2017, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (“ABCC”) will no longer accept paper checks as payment for applications.  Payments must be made online by using either a personal or business check (ACH).  Credit cards are not currently accepted. Once an applicant/licensee’s online payment is complete, they should print the confirmation receipt and include that receipt with their application to the Local Licensing Authority (“LLA”).  LLA’s should not send any applications to the ABCC without attaching the proof of payment receipt. The online payment link is on our homepage, under “Quick Links,” on the right side.  You can also reach it directly by following this link http://www.mass.gov/abcc/epay.htm - In addition, the ABCC is no longer using a lockbox to accept applications.  All applications should be mailed directly to our office at: Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, Attn: Licensing Department, 239 Causeway Street, 1st Floor, Boston, MA 02114. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the ABCC Licensing Division at [email protected] or 617-727-3040.

A list of alcohol license holders is available.

The following table shows the number of alcohol licenses available in Halifax:

More information about applying for an alcoholic beverage license.
The ABCC has provided a checklist and advice for applicants.
Workers' Compensation Affidavit.