budbeerlady
<font color=blue>I call DH The STREAK!!<br><font c
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- Apr 27, 2005
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State busts nearly 9,000 who dodged cigarette tax
Average bill is $650; more smokers could be targeted
LANSING - Nearly 9,000 people who bought on the Internet to avoid the state's $2-a-pack cigarette tax have been snared in the first year of a state crackdown and forced to pay about $5.9 million in taxes.
The average tax bill was about $650, but some people have been ordered to pay much more. Thousands more smokers could be targeted as the program to find cigarette tax cheaters continues, said state Treasury Department spokesman Terry Stanton.
So far, only four of 13 Internet sellers the state subpoenaed last year agreed to turn over names of their clients. The state has not yet taken legal action against the vendors who haven't handed over their lists of buyers.
"We're assessing information and determining whether there is more tax liability," Stanton said. "We reserve the right to take any action we need to get information."
Michigan was among 10 states to crack down on online cigarette buyers in 2005 to recover unpaid taxes. Two others - Virginia and Washington - initiated legal action against online cigarette companies to force them to hand over the names of their customers.
In Wisconsin, however, Gov. Jim Doyle halted the state's crackdown on Internet buyers, saying it should pursue the sellers instead.
In February 2005, the Michigan Treasury Department subpoenaed the 13 online cigarette sellers, citing the 1949 federal Jenkins Act, which governs interstate business. The state sought the names, addresses and purchase records of individuals who bought cigarettes from them.
Also, major credit card companies have stopped accepting payments for online tobacco sales.
Are they going to go after all of us who spend money online? Ebay? Good Grief!!!! ( I think this is dumb and I dont even smoke!)
Average bill is $650; more smokers could be targeted
LANSING - Nearly 9,000 people who bought on the Internet to avoid the state's $2-a-pack cigarette tax have been snared in the first year of a state crackdown and forced to pay about $5.9 million in taxes.
The average tax bill was about $650, but some people have been ordered to pay much more. Thousands more smokers could be targeted as the program to find cigarette tax cheaters continues, said state Treasury Department spokesman Terry Stanton.
So far, only four of 13 Internet sellers the state subpoenaed last year agreed to turn over names of their clients. The state has not yet taken legal action against the vendors who haven't handed over their lists of buyers.
"We're assessing information and determining whether there is more tax liability," Stanton said. "We reserve the right to take any action we need to get information."
Michigan was among 10 states to crack down on online cigarette buyers in 2005 to recover unpaid taxes. Two others - Virginia and Washington - initiated legal action against online cigarette companies to force them to hand over the names of their customers.
In Wisconsin, however, Gov. Jim Doyle halted the state's crackdown on Internet buyers, saying it should pursue the sellers instead.
In February 2005, the Michigan Treasury Department subpoenaed the 13 online cigarette sellers, citing the 1949 federal Jenkins Act, which governs interstate business. The state sought the names, addresses and purchase records of individuals who bought cigarettes from them.
Also, major credit card companies have stopped accepting payments for online tobacco sales.
Are they going to go after all of us who spend money online? Ebay? Good Grief!!!! ( I think this is dumb and I dont even smoke!)
