State Puts Lien On Hazelwood Woman's Home For Not Paying Taxes On Cigarettes

Channel 11 consumer reporter Robin Taylor spoke to a Hazelwood woman who said the state put a lien on her home after she purchased tax-free cigarettes online.

While it's true you can buy some items online without paying taxes, cigarettes are not one of those items. The state of Pennsylvania said if they catch people buying cigarettes on the Internet without paying state taxes on them, they will issue fines.

Rose Pitzarella said she smokes about three packs of cigarettes a day, a habit that has gotten so expensive that she has started to roll her own.

For years, Pitzarella said she ordered cigarettes online from a website where she could get a tax-free carton for $13. But her days of purchasing the cigarettes online are over because she said the state caught her.

"All of a sudden I get this letter that says I owe $1,500 taxes. I called the man up. I was upset. I can't afford to pay $1,500," said Pitzarella.

Taylor reported that the federal government cracked down on cigarette dealers and forced them to hand over their customer lists to state leaders.

Pitzarella said she worked out a payment plan, but fell behind and stopped making payments. After adding interest and penalties, the state put a $6,000 lien on her home.

"I'm going to lose everything for buying cigarettes because I couldn't afford the prices that they're charging," Pitzarella said.

The Department of Revenue said Pitzarella had years to pay back the taxes, but since she chose not to, they're now taking action.

The state said it is not fair for people who paid taxes on their cigarettes to let Pitzarella get away with not paying the taxes. A spokeswoman from the Department of Revenue said it's possible Pitzarella could negotiate a deal with the state if she starts making payments.

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