Posted on 08/28/2011 3:11:07 PM PDT by SmithL
PLEASANT HILL -- To get a good deal, Paul Brodman used to buy cigarettes online.
Little did he know, those smokes weren't the bargain they appeared to be. There's no getting out of paying state taxes simply by buying cigarettes online.
Earlier this month, Brodman received a bill for $1,398 from the State Board of Equalization for back taxes and penalties he owes for 100 cartons of cigarettes he bought online from an out-of-state retailer in 2007 and 2008. Initially, Brodman thought it was a mistake.
"We smoked them; we didn't resell them," he said. "I wasn't selling them on the corner."
When he bought cigarettes online, Brodman should have paid the state an excise tax of 87 cents per pack, plus a use tax of 8.25 percent on the total purchase amount.
"We know that people make purchases out of state and online looking for a deal, and they know they're getting away with something, or they should know they're getting away with something," said Anita Gore, spokeswoman for the State Board of Equalization. "It is the law that these taxes be paid."
Brodman says he turned to the Internet because cigarettes were "substantially cheaper" than at the corner store.
One reason cigarettes are more expensive in California than in some other states is because voters have added several surtaxes to cigarettes and other tobacco products over the years. The base cigarette tax is 12 cents per pack. The additional 75-cent tax on each pack funds tobacco-related health education programs and
(Excerpt) Read more at contracostatimes.com ...
There, fixed it for you.
So, now, who is going to try and admit they never bought anything online and if so, dutifully paid every penny of taxes due your State?
Remember, today they are going after those who purchased cigs; tomorrow some of you may be getting one of those "notices" in the mail!
And yes I smoke and yes I used to buy cigs online until thanks to that Fascist Moonbat Elliot (Client No. 9) Spitzer who browbeat Credit Card Co.'s into not processing orders, it became more difficult but not impossible.
Not satisfied with that, he "cajoled" and threatened Fed Ex and all other carriers to stop accepting shipments.
Well for some reason the USPS escaped scrutiny, until last year, when our Dear Leader signed a Bill (introduced by NY Legistlators who lose the most as they have several Indian Reservations) stopping that.
So now as far as I know, one can no longer buy tobacco products online.
First 5, just another ca.gov slush fund
You are not a conservative no matter what you may claim to be.
HA! Funniest thing I’ve read this week.
“I don’t mind being called a Nazi by addicts or those who pimp death.”
You’re zero for two, Heinrich. I neither use nor sell nor advertise tobacco in any form.
I just have a case of the red ass for tobacco Nazis, especially those who want to tax something out of existence because the good people of the United States refused to outlaw it.
I am A republican and I woulkd never vote for anyone proposing raising taxes. And I California pols. And I live in a red county but pay for all the blue ones. California sucks!!!
Smoking is not very popular in CA. I don't know whether the chicken or the egg were first here, but a large number of people (can't say majority without specific numbers in hand) don't smoke. You can walk around a typical company building that employs 2,000 workers and count smokers outside on fingers of one hand.
Myself, I don't smoke, never smoked, and I avoid tobacco smoke in every way possible.
The PACT ACT prohibiting shipping by the postal service was passed UNANIMOUSLY by the Senate. Both conservatives and liberal senators think smokers suck.
“So now as far as I know, one can no longer buy tobacco products online.”
I swear if I didn’t have small children counting on me, I’d get a muscle car and start smuggling cigs.
Camel straights only. I hate to look down and see a pile of cigarette filters.
That’s okay because I think all senators suck.
Good point.
As well as a decrease in revenue and then when the programs those revenues funded need more revenue I'm sure you and the rest of your NON conservative statists will gladly vote to raise taxes on yourselves, won't you?
You can buy pipe tobacco in 3 strengths, excise taxes paid, for $13-$15/lb. It is sold specifically for stuff-your-own cigarettes. This will stuff 2 1/2 cartons of 100mm tubes with filters. With shipping and tubes, it is about $8/carton. it would be less for regular length cigarettes. The machine is $45.
It is a legal loophole. The law is totally about pre-made cigarettes.
YOu've crossed the line there buddy boy...........I suggest you hit abuse on yourself and get your poste deleted before someone else has it done for you.
Wondering if the state will sue him for loss of future tax revenue?
I guess that clause is lurking in the penumbra as well.
You can still order them online here:
https://www.senecasmokeshop.com/oasiscrm/shopping.asp?directive=CheckZip
Don’t know how they get around the law.
We don’t use them.
The smoker in the family, grand-pere, rolls his own.
You can buy pipe tobacco in 3 strengths, excise taxes paid, for $13-$15/lb. It is sold specifically for stuff-your-own cigarettes. This will stuff 2 1/2 cartons of 100mm tubes with filters. With shipping and tubes, it is about $8/carton. it would be less for regular length cigarettes. The machine is $45.
___________________
That’s what my grandfather does.
Works well.
.
You sir, are a RINO of the worst kind - too mesmerized by your own ego to understand why you're wrong. It is not the responsibility of the government to legislate morality or remove freedoms. Taxation, particularly sin taxes, is nothing more than an attempt to do both.
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