IP 2007(16)

Q & A on the Cigarette Tax Increase Effective July 1, 2007, for Licensed Dealers

Effective Date: July 1, 2007.

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Tax Rate Increase: The cigarette tax rate will increase from 75.5 mills to 100 mills per cigarette on July 1, 2007.

	Tax before  7-01-2007	Tax  on or after  7-01-2007
Packages
20 cigarettes per package	$1.51	$2.00
25 cigarettes per package	1.8875	2.50
Cartons
5 packs per carton (20s)	$7.55	$10.00
10 packs per carton (20s)	15.10	20.00
8 packs per carton (25s)	15.10	20.00
10 packs per carton (25s)	18.875	25.00

Tax on Cigarette Inventory as of Close of Business on June 30, 2007: As of the close of business on June 30, 2007, if you have any packages of cigarettes, including those in cartons, that have an old cigarette tax stamp attached to them, you are liable for a tax (known as a floor tax) on those packages. The floor tax is the difference between the old cigarette tax rate and the new cigarette tax rate.

Close of Business on June 30, 2007: If your business closes after 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2007, you must take the cigarette inventory as of 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2007.

1. When do I take the inventory of packages of cigarettes that have old cigarette tax stamps attached?

You must take an inventory as of the close of business on June 30, 2007. The inventory must include a physical count of all packages of cigarettes, including those in cartons, that have an old cigarette tax stamp attached.  This inventory must also include promotional packages of cigarettes that have an old cigarette tax stamp attached.  Report this inventory information on Schedule A, which is located on the back of Form FT-TFT, Floor Tax Form for Cigarette Tax, and sign the form. (See Question 4 for information on filing the form.)

Old cigarette tax stamp means either a purple $1.51 Connecticut cigarette tax stamp for packages of 20 cigarettes or a tan $1.8875 Connecticut cigarette tax stamp for packages of 25 cigarettes.

2.  Am I required to purchase and affix floor tax stamps to packages of cigarettes in inventory as of the close of business on June 30, 2007?

No, you are not required to purchase and affix floor tax stamps to packages of cigarettes in your inventory as of the close of business on June 30, 2007.

3. What if I have packages of cigarettes in inventory at the close of business on June 30, 2007, that have new cigarette tax stamps already attached?

Do not include in your inventory any packages of cigarettes that have a new cigarette tax stamp attached.  New cigarette tax stamp means either a yellow $2.00 Connecticut cigarette tax stamp for packages of 20 cigarettes or a blue $2.50 Connecticut cigarette tax stamp for packages of 25 cigarettes.

4. When do I file Form FT-TFT?

You must complete and sign Form FT-TFT as of the close of business on June 30, 2007, and keep a copy of the signed Form FT-TFT on your premises for inspection by Department of Revenue Services (DRS) agents.

You must file the original Form FT-TFT and pay the tax to DRS no later than August 15, 2007.  You must file Form FT-TFT whether or not you have packages of cigarettes in your inventory that have old cigarette tax stamps attached.  If you fail to file Form FT-TFT with DRS on or before August 15, 2007, your dealer’s license may be revoked.

5. When do I pay the floor tax?

You must pay the floor tax on or before August 15, 2007. The tax is due on each package of cigarettes, including those in cartons, that you have in inventory as of the close of business on June 30, 2007, which have an old cigarette tax stamp attached.  If you fail to pay the floor tax, your dealer’s license may be revoked.

Make your check payable to Commissioner of Revenue Services and remit the tax with Form FT-TFT on or before August 15, 2007.  Mail your payment and Form FT-TFT to:

Department of Revenue Services

PO Box 5031

Hartford CT 06102-5031

6. What if I do not comply with the requirements described in this Informational Publication?

DRS audit and enforcement personnel will be out in force to verify that you correctly accounted for the inventory of packages of cigarettes, including those in cartons, that have old cigarette tax stamps attached as of the close of business on June 30, 2007.  If you fail to report and pay the correct amount of floor tax, you will be subject to penalty and interest.  The penalty for willfully delivering a false return, including Form FT-TFT to DRS is a fine of not more than $5,000, or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both.

7. How do I report those who are in violation of the law?

Contact the DRS Special Investigations Section at 860-297-5877 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Effect on Other Documents: None affected.

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Effect of This Document: An Informational Publication issued by the DRS addresses frequently asked questions about a current position, policy, or practice, usually in a less technical question and answer format.

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For Further Information on the Cigarette Tax Increase and the Floor Tax: Please call DRS during business hours, Monday through Friday, at 860-541-3224.

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For Further Information: Call DRS during business hours, Monday through Friday:

• 1-800-382-9463 (Connecticut calls outside the Greater Hartford calling area only); or
• 860-297-5962 (from anywhere).

TTY, TDD, and Text Telephone users only may transmit inquiries anytime by calling 860-297-4911.

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Forms and Publications: Forms and publications are available anytime by:

• Internet: Visit the DRS website to download and print Connecticut tax forms; or
• Telephone: Call 1-800-382-9463 (Connecticut calls outside the Greater Hartford calling area only) and select Option 2 from a touch-tone phone, or call 860-297-4753 (from anywhere).

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IP 2007(16)
Cigarette Tax
2007 Legislation
Issued: 06-25-07