A permit that lapses is worse than one that was never issued: the store is already selling, so the day it expires the store is operating illegally, and most agencies charge late fees or reinstatement costs on top of the renewal. The catch is that every permit renews on a different schedule, and several do not send a reminder. This is the renewal calendar we track for every client store in Texas.
Renewal dates by permit
| Permit | Renewal cycle | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco retailer permit | Every 2 years, expires May 31 of even-numbered years | Same date for every retailer in Texas regardless of when you applied. Renewal is $180; the Comptroller may collect the next period's fee during the last three months of the current one. |
| E-cigarette retailer permit | Every 2 years, expires May 31 of even-numbered years | Same cycle as tobacco. $180, or $90 if you hold the tobacco permit at the same location. |
| TABC permits | Every 2 years from the issue date | Renewal notices come from TABC's online system. Late renewals can require a new application, so this one must never slip. |
| Texas Lottery license | Per the Commission's schedule | Renewal is tied to the license record. Any change in ownership, officers, location or financial status must be reported within 10 days, separately from renewal. |
| SNAP / EBT authorization | Periodic reauthorization by USDA | USDA contacts authorized stores for reauthorization, commonly around every five years. Missing the reauthorization deadline ends the authorization. |
| Hemp retail registration | Annual | $5,000 per location each year. DSHS mails renewal notices to the mailing address on the portal account. |
| Sales and use tax permit | No renewal | Stays active as long as returns are filed. A store that stops filing returns can have the permit revoked, which then blocks every other permit. |
| Certificate of occupancy | Usually none | Stays with the building unless the use changes. Some cities issue annual operating permits separately; we confirm per city. |
| Health permit | Annual in most jurisdictions | Renewal usually requires the inspection to be current. |
The May 31 problem
Because every tobacco and e-cigarette permit in Texas expires on the same date, the Comptroller processes tens of thousands of renewals at once each even-numbered spring. Retailers who wait until May find the queue long and the permit lapsed on June 1. We file client renewals as soon as the Comptroller opens the renewal window, usually in the spring, so the new permit is in hand before the old one expires.
What lapsing actually costs
- Tobacco or e-cigarette: a $50 late fee per location, vending machine or vehicle, and selling without a permit is a Class A misdemeanor with fines of up to $2,000 per day.
- TABC: selling alcohol on an expired permit is a violation that can affect future applications, and a lapse long enough may mean starting over with a new application, certifications included.
- Lottery: the terminal is deactivated, and reinstating requires the Commission's review.
- SNAP: EBT transactions stop being approved the day authorization ends; a new application is required.
- Hemp: DSHS can detain product and revoke the registration for selling without it.
How we track it
Every permit we file goes into a renewal calendar with its expiration date and its earliest filing date. We contact the owner ahead of each window, confirm nothing has changed about the ownership or location, and file the renewal. Owners with several stores get one calendar for all of them. It is the single most requested thing our long-term clients use us for, because a missed date is the one licensing problem that cannot be undone.
Not sure when your permits expire?
Send us copies of what is posted on your wall and we will build the calendar for your store at no charge. Contact us or call (346) 767-7855.
Frequently asked questions
When do Texas tobacco permits expire?
May 31 of every even-numbered year, for every retailer in the state, regardless of when the permit was issued. The e-cigarette permit runs on the same cycle. Renewal is $180 for a full two-year period.
How often do TABC permits renew?
TABC permits are issued for two-year terms from the issue date and are renewed through TABC's online system. A late renewal can require a completely new application, so it should never be allowed to lapse.
Does a Texas sales tax permit expire?
No. It stays active as long as sales tax returns are filed on time. If returns stop, the Comptroller can revoke the permit, which then blocks the tobacco, lottery and TABC permits that depend on it.
Does SNAP authorization need to be renewed?
USDA periodically reauthorizes stores, commonly around every five years, and contacts the store when it is due. Missing the deadline ends the authorization and a new application is required.
What happens if my tobacco permit lapses?
The Comptroller charges a $50 late fee per location, and selling tobacco without a valid permit is a Class A misdemeanor with fines of up to $2,000 per day. File the renewal immediately and stop selling until it is issued.
Can you track renewals for stores you did not originally file for?
Yes. Send us copies of the permits posted in the store and we will build the renewal calendar and handle each renewal when it comes up.
Last reviewed September 2026. Fees and rules change; we verify each one against the agency at the time of filing.