Homes to be siezed by the Government over Cigarette Taxes
Several states and the District of Columbia are tracking down smokers who buy cheaper cigarettes out of their jurisdictions and have even begun tax-collection procedures that can end in liens put against the offender’s property.
Ohio and Pennsylvania have been particularly aggressive in trying to collect money from smokers who dodge local tobacco taxes by purchasing cigarettes online, from Indian reservations or from states with lower taxes.
In the District, the Office of Tax and Revenue has mailed notices demanding that cigarette buyers pay the D.C. sales tax on their past purchases via the Consumer Use tax return - an order that, if ignored, can provide the legal basis to seize a person’s home.
Natalie Wilson, a public affairs specialist for the tax office, said Thursday that 49 notices have been mailed requesting payment of $31,593, of which $17,370 has been received. Other jurisdictions such as Pennsylvania have filed liens against the homes of tax delinquents, though D.C. hasn’t gone that far yet.
