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CITY SMOKES OUT 'NET TAX (NYC Taxing Internet Cigarette Purchases)
New York Post ^ | 1/13/05 | DAVID SEIFMAN

Posted on 01/13/2005 12:55:31 AM PST by kattracks

Big Brother Bloomberg is watching.

Smokers who've been buying cigarettes from Internet sites to beat the city's $1.50-a-pack tax are in for a shock: tax collectors know who you are and are now sending out thousands of bills going back more than two years, The Post has learned.

Andrew Hoffer, a utility worker who lives in Queens, told The Post he was flabbergasted to get a threatening letter from the Finance Department demanding $1,005 for the taxes due on purchases he made back to July 2002.

"I had a feeling of violation," said Hoffer, 37. "Internet purchases are traditionally considered private and secure. This just doesn't seem right to me at all."

In fact, residents have to pay full city taxes on whatever they buy, even outside the five boroughs.

By law, New Yorkers who order untaxed merchandise over the Web are required to forward the applicable tax to state and city authorities. Few do.

[SNIP]

n a Jan. 10 letter to Hoffer, the Finance Department wrote that it had "obtained information from cigarette retailers that you purchased over the Internet and received delivery in New York City of 67 cartons of untaxed cigarettes during the period July 2002 through April 2004."

Hoffer was advised that many online cigarette retailers claim they can offer huge savings because their cigarettes are tax-free.

"Those claims are false," wrote Assistant Commissioner Carlton Butler of the Office of Tax Enforcement.

Hoffer was given 30 days to pay up or face interest and penalties of up to $200 a carton.


(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: andrewhoffer; big; bloomberg; brother; cigarette; finance; hoffer; invasionprivacy; newyorkcity; outofstate; pufflist; smokers; tax; taxes
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1 posted on 01/13/2005 12:55:31 AM PST by kattracks
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To: kattracks

Sounds like they need to give these guys a forgiveness for this time just like they do to illegal aliens. Hey Illigals, where's the tax money you owe our government ??


2 posted on 01/13/2005 1:00:27 AM PST by 1FASTGLOCK45
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To: kattracks
When I did smoke, I used to load up on cigarettes at Arizona Indian reservations. Totally skipped California's ridiculous "sin taxes" and got smokes at a good price.

And when I didn't feel like driving to AZ, I had friends in the area buy 'em and ship 'em to me. Then I'd PayPal 'em the money.

People thought I was paranoid until California won a court case and started handing out tax bills to smokers just like NY is doing now. Now I imagine those same folks who laughed at my caution are now doing the same thing I did to avoid the fascist nanny state.

3 posted on 01/13/2005 1:10:31 AM PST by Prime Choice (The DNC! Where boys and girls look the same! That's a little strange isn't it?)
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To: kattracks
Pathetic. Our country is going the wrong way.
The more the lefties try to do stupid stuff like this, they turn reasonable people into criminals. If they force the issue the people will find a work around. I'm not a smoker (used to be) and I gather loose tabacco is not taxed. Buy a rolling machine and screw Bloomburger.
4 posted on 01/13/2005 1:16:04 AM PST by ProudVet77 (If it's Saturday, I'm sailing!)
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To: ProudVet77

I quit smoking three years ago. I couldn't imagine paying 50 bucks a carton. I used to drive down to Richmond and but 40 cartons. I was good for a year.


5 posted on 01/13/2005 3:30:28 AM PST by EQAndyBuzz (60 votes and the world changes.)
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To: kattracks

Oh maaaaan...I know plenty of people who will be hurtin from this...this is bad news.


6 posted on 01/13/2005 3:57:16 AM PST by PianoMan (and now back to practicing)
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To: EQAndyBuzz
I used to drive down to Richmond and but 40 cartons. I was good for a year.



I am not a smoker so I wouldn't know, but don't they go stale within a year?
7 posted on 01/13/2005 4:02:48 AM PST by sittnick (There's no salvation in politics.)
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To: kattracks

Why don't they just cut to the chase and set up gas chambers for smokers?


8 posted on 01/13/2005 6:18:53 AM PST by thoughtomator (Rooting for a Jets-Vikings Superbowl!)
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To: kattracks
"America is at that awkward stage, it's too late to work within the system but it's too early to shoot the bastards."

Clair Wolfe

9 posted on 01/13/2005 6:28:54 AM PST by Protagoras (Real conservatives do not advocate government force to attain societal goals)
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To: kattracks

Whatever happened to this clause???


No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.


10 posted on 01/13/2005 6:34:22 AM PST by djf
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To: Prime Choice
And when I didn't feel like driving to AZ, I had friends in the area buy 'em and ship 'em to me.

You guys are lazy bones. Why don't you make your own?!

Make your own cigarettes for as low as $6.99 per Carton!

11 posted on 01/13/2005 7:13:55 AM PST by A. Pole (Hash Bimbo: "Low wage is good for you!")
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To: SheLion

I got one for ya PING!


12 posted on 01/13/2005 7:16:32 AM PST by RandallFlagg (FReepers, Do NOT let the voter fraud stories die!!!! (Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name))
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To: kattracks

Sounds like New York smokers need to learn the art of rolling their own. I did and will never go back.


13 posted on 01/13/2005 7:17:32 AM PST by RandallFlagg (FReepers, Do NOT let the voter fraud stories die!!!! (Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name))
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To: RandallFlagg

Thanks, I was just gonna ping her..


14 posted on 01/13/2005 7:21:35 AM PST by The Mayor (When trouble overtakes you, let God take over)
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To: kattracks

To me, the real story is how did NYC manage to get out-of-state cigarette vendors to give up info on their customers?


15 posted on 01/13/2005 7:24:02 AM PST by Ranxerox
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To: The Mayor

It's friggin' insanity. They jack up the prices to obscene rates, ban use of the products anywhere and everywhere, then they'll complain that the expected tax revenue isn't there.

And the people who see no problem with this think that it won't roll downhill and ruin the things THEY might enjoy from life? They need to wake up and remember another leafy substance that was dumped in a harbor in Boston a little over 200 years ago.

/rant


16 posted on 01/13/2005 7:25:38 AM PST by RandallFlagg (FReepers, Do NOT let the voter fraud stories die!!!! (Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name))
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To: djf

It has no bearing on this issue since the City is not taxing exports but sales to City residents.


17 posted on 01/13/2005 7:25:48 AM PST by justshutupandtakeit (Public Enemy #1, the RATmedia.)
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To: Ranxerox

"RANXEROX"?!?!
I used to LOVE that cartoon!!


18 posted on 01/13/2005 7:26:24 AM PST by RandallFlagg (FReepers, Do NOT let the voter fraud stories die!!!! (Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name))
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To: A. Pole
You guys are lazy bones.

Guilty as charged.

Why don't you make your own?!

'Cause I quit. Only had to get cancer once...

19 posted on 01/13/2005 7:36:44 AM PST by Prime Choice (The DNC! Where boys and girls look the same! That's a little strange isn't it?)
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To: thoughtomator
Why don't they just cut to the chase and set up gas chambers for smokers?

Because they'd have to offer them in regular or menthol.

20 posted on 01/13/2005 7:37:43 AM PST by Prime Choice (The DNC! Where boys and girls look the same! That's a little strange isn't it?)
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