Price-conscious smokers who thought they landed fantastic bargains on the Internet have been hit by the city with bills totaling nearly $1.4 million, officials said yesterday.
A crackdown on tax-free cigarette sales on the Web hauled in $695,479 from 2,156 puffers out of the $1,354,880 demanded in the first round of bills sent out to 3,780 New York City residents through May.
A second round in August took in another $169,990 out of $507,000 due.
Now, officials say, they’re ready to get really serious and impose a $100-a-carton penalty – plus the $1.50-a-pack tax.
“We want voluntary compliance,” said Finance Department spokesman Sam Miller. “Now that we’ve sent out three notices, it’s not so voluntary anymore.”
