Drug dealers pay new 'crack tax'

Ananova: ^

[tlb]

A US state's tax on drug dealers has brought in nearly $2 million in its first year.

Tennessee's so-called 'Crack Tax' came into effect last January, reports the Sun-Sentinel.

Under the scheme, drug dealers are expected to pay taxes on illegal drugs and alcohol. They pay confidentially, and when they do, they get a stamp.

If they're caught without the stamp, they'll be prosecuted for tax evasion, as well as drug dealing.

[tlb]

Capone demands a re-do.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Crack tax. I thought that was the upcharge for a plumber going under the house.

[SpaceBar]

As deleterious to society as the illegal narcotics trade is, I find it somewhat disturbing how a law that clearly cannot be honored due to the illegal nature of its subject matter is created and used to prosecute someone participating in the other related activity. Just smacks of mocking the nature of law in a peculiar roundabout way. Such precident paves the way for other logically inconsistent constructs to prosecute other things as needs dictate.

[DigitalVideoDude]

Makes no sense. Defies all logic.

If you get busted for dealing drugs, you should get a bonus bust for tax evasion, always.

[SkyDancer]

I read where one state is adding sales tax to fines ... that should make a loan shark blush ... where I live you have to pay a "service fee" when you go in to register your car ... they charge a dollar-fifty just to process your tabs.

[nemesis443]

The tax can be paid confidentially. The state tax on drugs is treated the same as sales tax or income tax and revenue employees are forbidden under state law from giving details to anyone outside the department, including law enforcement. The penalty for unauthorized disclosure by a revenue employee is imprisonment up to 11 months and 29 days in jail.

[SpaceBar]

Perhaps in theory, but we both know exactly zero individuals will feel confident to test the system.

[LukeL]

Can't they get them for tax evasion for not reporting their income they make on drug dealing in the first place?

[mysterio]

Wow. A bold new step in the failed war on some drugs. I have every confidence it will be as successful as everything else they've tried.

[nemesis443]

No, the only income that Tennessee taxes is certain dividend and investment income.

[Outland]

Illegalities? It's all about revenue, just like a speeding ticket for doing 35 in a 30 zone.

[Crim]

WTF?

[knarf]

mind fart ... I forgot how to post images

[kenth]

ping

[oyez]

ananova

Self explanatory.

[durasell]

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060124/NEWS03/601240329/1017/NEWS

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

The tax can be paid confidentially. The state tax on drugs is treated the same as sales tax or income tax and revenue employees are forbidden under state law from giving details to anyone outside the department, including law enforcement. The penalty for unauthorized disclosure by a revenue employee is imprisonment up to 11 months and 29 days in jail.

Obviously an idea borrowed from immigration.

[endthematrix]

We have to pay taxes ON taxes...

[Winston Smith]

This is a case of legalized graft. The lawmakers should be ashamed of their unabashed greed.

[endthematrix]

I always had fond memories buying nightcrawlers at a Ma-n-Pa bait shop near the 'Ol fishin' hole. It was $0.50 then inflation increased it in $0.25 increments. Still was always easy to pay in quarters...no tax was asked.

Then one day the dozen crawlers was up to $1.25! So I pulled out a $1 and a quarter and tossed it on the counter. The register (I never recalled them ringing up worms before!) starts ringing, and the owner asks for a dime!

"WHAT?"

"It's tax."

"ON WORMS? A WORM TAX?"

The guy busted a gut. I was pissed, but he was an old timer and business is business. He apologized and Uncle Sam got his dime.