News Summary

Springfield, Ohio — Figures released from state officials this week indicate that Clark County residents who bought cigarettes online are responsible for $30,200 in unpaid sales and excise taxes; their counterparts in Champaign County owe $8,600.

Ohio Department of Taxation will be mailing 5,469 bills statewide to collect more than $2.15 million in unpaid taxes from Internet cigarette purchases made between July 2007 and March 2008.

In Clark County, 77 invoices were issued to account for taxes on 2,416 cartons of cigarettes purchased during that period; 18 bills cover the 692 cartons bought in Champaign County, according to department of taxation records.

Cigarettes sold in Ohio are subject to both excise and sales taxes, officials said. The current state excise tax on a pack of cigarettes is $1.25.

"Our department is responsible for making sure that everyone is paying their fair share," said department of taxation spokesman John Kohlstrand.

"We have identified these individuals liable for cigarette taxes. We are asking them to make it right," he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.

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