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IL specialty retailer liquor bonds.
From $100. Enter your amount.

Illinois specialty retailer liquor licenses — brew pubs, caterers, special-event and similar retailers — come with a financial-responsibility tax bond filed with the Department of Revenue (form REG-4-A) when the licensee owes liquor tax. We issue it from $100, and the application collects no credit information.

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Required for a specialty / special-event retailer liquor license under 235 ILCS 5 when IDOR asks for a tax bond
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Filed with the Illinois Department of Revenue on form REG-4-A to back your liquor gallonage tax
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From $100, soft pull only — enter the amount the state set and the premium updates
2% of amount$100 minimumNo credit reviewnot even a soft pullFastapproval for most
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BDG
Capital
McKinney
Terra
JLL
Triple Five
Georgetown
How it works

Apply to filed in one sitting.

No underwriting queue for the standard liquor tax bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with the Department of Revenue. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your business details, the bond amount the state set, and the effective date — that is the entire application.

INSTANTLY

Issued on the spot

The application collects no credit information; most bonds issue instantly upon payment. Larger amounts may get a quick soft-pull review that never affects your score.

SAME DAY

File with the Department of Revenue

Submit the executed REG-4-A bond so IDOR issues your certificate of registration. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the state insists on them.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the specialty retailer bond actually covers

Illinois issues a range of specialty retailer liquor licenses under the Liquor Control Act of 1934 (235 ILCS 5) — brew pub, caterer, special-event, and similar retail categories. When the licensee owes the state liquor tax, the Department of Revenue conditions registration on a financial-responsibility (tax) bond.

The bond is filed on IDOR form REG-4-A and guarantees the liquor gallonage tax that becomes due from the retailer. It protects the State, not the licensee — if you fail to remit, IDOR can recover against the bond, and if the surety pays, you repay the surety.

The amount is set by IDOR and is generally about twice your average monthly tax liability, subject to a $1,000 statutory minimum (and a state-set maximum). Enter the figure on your notice and we issue the bond from $100 — your exact price appears at the application.

235 ILCS 5 + IDOR form REG-4-ASpecialty retailer liquor licenses (brew pub, caterer, special-event, and similar) are issued under the Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934 (235 ILCS 5). When a tax bond is required, the Illinois Department of Revenue uses form REG-4-A; the amount is generally about twice the average monthly liquor tax liability, with a $1,000 minimum. Confirm the exact figure on your IDOR notice.

You need this bond if you are

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A brew pub or craft retailer IDOR has asked to post a liquor tax bond
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A caterer or special-event retailer serving alcohol under a specialty license
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A new specialty retailer that IDOR wants bonded before issuing a certificate of registration
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Renewing a specialty license whose IDOR bond is expiring or was non-renewed

One application, issued on the spot.

Submit the application with the bond amount IDOR set — the executed REG-4-A bond is generated instantly, ready to file.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the specialty retailer bond?Pricing is 2% of your bond amount, with a $100 minimum. The bond amount is set by the Department of Revenue — generally about twice your average monthly liquor tax liability, with a $1,000 statutory minimum. Enter that figure at the application and your exact price appears.
Which form is this?The Illinois Department of Revenue financial-responsibility bond, form REG-4-A. IDOR also accepts a REG-4-D letter-of-credit bond in lieu of surety, but a surety bond is usually much cheaper than tying up cash.
Do all specialty retailers need it?Not always. IDOR requires the tax bond when the licensee owes liquor gallonage tax and the Department wants a financial guarantee. If you’re unsure, send us your IDOR notice and we’ll confirm.
Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information, and most applications approve instantly. If a check runs on a larger amount, it is a soft pull only — it never affects your credit score.
What does it guarantee?The liquor gallonage tax you owe the State of Illinois. If you fail to remit, IDOR can recover against the bond — and if the surety pays, you repay the surety. It is not insurance for you.
Related bonds

Other Illinois bonds.

IL Specialty Liquor (Airplane, Boat, Railroad)
The IDOR financial-responsibility tax bond behind a common-carrier liquor license. 2% of bond amount, $100 minimum.
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IL Winery Shipper
The IDOR financial-responsibility bond behind a winery shipper’s license. 1% of bond amount, $100 minimum.
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IL Tobacco Products Distributor Tax
The IDOR tax bond for tobacco-products distributors, capped at $50,000. 1% of bond amount, $100 minimum.
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IL Seller of 72-Hour Trip Hauling Permits
The Dept. of Agriculture bond for agents who sell 72-hour livestock hauling permits. 1% of bond amount, $100 minimum.
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Specialty retailer bond, issued today.

Pricing from $100. Enter the amount the state set and file with IDOR the same day.

Start application
Your premiumfrom $100
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