Tennessee Begins Strict Crack Down on Cigarette Tax Dodgers
September 26, 2007 by
According to a recently published Tennessee.gov press release, the Tennessee Department of Revenue's Special Investigations Section will start conducting strict surveillance of tobacco retailers that are out of state but near the 
Tennessee border. The surveillance will especially keep an eye on Tennessee residents who purchase cigarettes over the state line.
Back on July 1st of this year, Tennessee's cigarette tax increased from 20 cents per pack to 62 cents per pack, a rather large increase.
Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr said, "As a result of this legislation, Tennesseans may travel to neighboring states to purchase cigarettes in order to avoid paying Tennessee cigarette tax. Tennesseans should know that the law requires cigarettes purchased outside of the state to bear a Tennessee tobacco stamp, otherwise the cigarettes may be considered contraband."
The crimes can be very serious for residents who do not follow the Tennessee laws when crossing back over with many out-of-state purchased cigarettes. For example, having more than 20 packs, or two full cartons, of cigarettes that do not have the Tennessee revenue stamps is considered a misdemeanor in Tennessee. This crime leads to products or even vehicles used to transport the cigarettes to be seized by the states. An an example of a more severe crime is possessing more than 25 cartons of untaxed cigarettes. Residents could find themselves arrested and charged with a Class E felony for doing this.
Many residents believe that going over the state line to buy cheaper cigarettes is perfectly fine, but the state of Tennessee believes that it is wrong because it takes away money from important funding and programs.
Commissioner Farr added, "If Revenue agents believe that an individual is transporting more than two cartons of cigarettes into Tennessee, the vehicle carrying the cigarettes will be stopped and searched. If more than two cartons are found, the cigarettes will be seized and agents have the discretion to make arrests and seize the vehicle."
Tennessee Begins Strict Crack Down on Cigarette Tax Dodgers
Back on July 1st of this year, Tennessee's cigarette tax increased from 20 cents per pack to 62 cents per pack, a rather large increase.
Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr said, "As a result of this legislation, Tennesseans may travel to neighboring states to purchase cigarettes in order to avoid paying Tennessee cigarette tax. Tennesseans should know that the law requires cigarettes purchased outside of the state to bear a Tennessee tobacco stamp, otherwise the cigarettes may be considered contraband."
The crimes can be very serious for residents who do not follow the Tennessee laws when crossing back over with many out-of-state purchased cigarettes. For example, having more than 20 packs, or two full cartons, of cigarettes that do not have the Tennessee revenue stamps is considered a misdemeanor in Tennessee. This crime leads to products or even vehicles used to transport the cigarettes to be seized by the states. An an example of a more severe crime is possessing more than 25 cartons of untaxed cigarettes. Residents could find themselves arrested and charged with a Class E felony for doing this.
Many residents believe that going over the state line to buy cheaper cigarettes is perfectly fine, but the state of Tennessee believes that it is wrong because it takes away money from important funding and programs.
Commissioner Farr added, "If Revenue agents believe that an individual is transporting more than two cartons of cigarettes into Tennessee, the vehicle carrying the cigarettes will be stopped and searched. If more than two cartons are found, the cigarettes will be seized and agents have the discretion to make arrests and seize the vehicle."
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