From: MassLive
By Shira Schoenberg, The Republican
With illegal tobacco sales potentially costing Massachusetts up to nearly $300 million a year, a commission is recommending that the state step up its enforcement efforts to prosecute and punish those who distribute and sell tobacco without paying the proper taxes.
The commission, however, does not recommend lowering the tax rate on tobacco, even though the higher tax rate has contributed to higher levels of tax evasion.
Revenue Commissioner Amy Pitter, who chaired the commission, said the commission decided to focus on enforcement in order to change the risk-reward calculus for criminals.
