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Hi, SheLion. Sometime in 2003-2004 I bought cigarettes online from esmokes, and had them shipped to a friend's house in NJ, where I picked them up. Yesterday I got a tax bill from NJ Treasury for $238 in taxes! Have you ever heard of this? Do I have to pay it?

Thanks for your input.

Oh dear. We are going round and round in email about this. New York started this. Now Illinois and Michigan smokers that ordered off of the Internet are having a horrible time. But some are paying it and others are fighting it.

The following is from one guy in Illinois and what HE is doing: (I wonder how they found you, since the orders were sent to your friends home, and not yours? Did the notice come to your address or to your friends?)

To All:

Well, here is a follow up to the letter I sent to the Michigan State Treasury requesting under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, any and all information they had on record to substantiate their claim that I allegedly purchased tobacco products out of state:

“…To the extent we understand your description, your request is granted. To the best of the undersigned’s knowledge, information and belief, the documents you requested, which the undersigned certifies are in the form the items exist in the department, are enclosed.” Signed………

The ONLY information that was provided which somehow incriminated me in this vast internet tobacco tax scam was a single page spread sheet of names, addresses, cartons ordered and cost of the order. This was a single date in September of 2002 which in no way includes all the other purchases they claim I made.

It is as I suspected, they have no definitive evidence to support their claims other than spreadsheet information containing only the names, addresses, quantities of cigarettes ordered and the costs of same.

My advice to everyone reading this post who is under assault by their respective state, go on the offensive and exercise your rights under the FOIA.

At this point, based on what they provided me, I am sending another letter demanding a refund of the taxes I previously paid.

Try www.stuffyourown.com. Can't get much cheaper. From their website..."Stuff Your Own.com does not sell cigarettes or cigars, and therefore is not required by the "Jenkins Act" to report ANY of our out of state sales."

Yesterday I got a tax bill from NJ Treasury for $238 in taxes! Have you ever heard of this? Do I have to pay it?

If you live in New Jersey, you bet!
Do you not live or work in New Jersey? Then make them extradite you.

Not too smart, are you.