TAX ON CIGARETTES HELD FOR SALE

Conn. Gen. Stat. tit. 12, ch. 214, pt. PART I

in effect

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-285 Definitions.

12-285. Definitions. (a) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Person” means any individual, firm, fiduciary, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust or association, however formed; (2) “Distributor” means (A) any person in this state engaged in the business of manufacturing cigarettes; (B) any person, other than a buying pool, who purchases cigarettes at wholesale from manufacturers or other distributors for sale to licensed dealers, and who maintains an established place of business, including a location used exclusively for such business, which has facilities in which a substantial stock of cigarettes and related merchandise for resale can be kept at all times, and who sells at least seventy-five per cent of such cigarettes to retailers who, at no time, shall own any interest in the business of the distributor as a partner, stockholder or trustee; (C) any person operating five or more retail stores in this state for the sale of cigarettes, or franchising five or more retail stores in this state for the sale of cigarettes who shares in the gross profits generated by such stores and who purchases cigarettes at wholesale for sale to dealers but sells such cigarettes exclusively to retail stores such person is operating or franchising; (D) any person operating and servicing twenty-five or more cigarette vending machines in this state who buys such cigarettes at wholesale and sells them exclusively in such vending machines. If a person qualified as a distributor in accordance with this subparagraph, in addition sells cigarettes other than in vending machines, such person shall be required to be qualified as a distributor in accordance with subparagraph (B) of this subdivision and have an additional distributor's license for purposes of such other sales; (E) any person who imports into this state unstamped cigarettes, at least seventy-five per cent of which are to be sold to others for resale; and (F) any person operating storage facilities for unstamped cigarettes in this state; (3) “Cigarette vending machine” means a machine used for the purpose of automatically merchandising packaged cigarettes through the insertion of the proper amount of coins therein by the purchaser, but does not mean a restricted cigarette vending machine; (4) “Restricted cigarette vending machine” means a machine used for the dispensing of packaged cigarettes which automatically deactivates after each individual sale, cannot be left operable after a sale and requires, prior to each individual sale, a face-to-face interaction or display of identification between an employee of the area, facility or business where such machine is located and the purchaser; (5) “Dealer” means any person other than a distributor who is engaged in this state in the business of selling cigarettes, including any person operating and servicing fewer than twenty-five cigarette vending machines, and any person who is engaged in the business of selling taxed tobacco products, as defined in section 12-330a, at retail; (6) “Licensed dealer” means a dealer licensed under the provisions of this chapter; (7) “Stamp” means any stamp authorized to be used under this chapter by the Commissioner of Revenue Services and includes heat-applied decals; (8) “Sale” or “sell” means an act done intentionally by any person, whether done as principal, proprietor, agent, servant or employee, of transferring, offering or attempting to transfer, for consideration, including bartering or exchanging, or offering to barter and exchange; (9) “Buying pool” means and includes any combination, corporation, association, affiliation or group of retail dealers operating jointly in the purchase, sale, exchange or barter of cigarettes, the profits from which accrue directly or indirectly to such retail dealers, provided any person holding a distributor's license issued prior to June 29, 1951, shall be deemed to be a distributor within the terms of this section; (10) “Tobacco products” has the same meaning as provided in section 12-330a; and (11) “Taxed tobacco products” has the same meaning as provided in section 12-330a. (b) As used in this part and part II only of this chapter: (1) “Cigarette” means any product that contains nicotine, is intended to be burned or heated under ordinary conditions of use and consists of or contains (A) any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not containing tobacco, (B) tobacco, in any form, that is functional in the product, which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to or purchased by consumers as a cigarette, or (C) any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substance containing tobacco which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette described in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, except where such wrapper is wholly or in the greater part made of tobacco and such roll weighs over three pounds per thousand, provided, if any roll has a wrapper made of homogenized tobacco or natural leaf tobacco and the roll is a cigarette size so that it weighs three pounds or less per thousand, such roll is a cigarette and subject to the tax imposed by this part and part II of this chapter. “Cigarette” includes any roll, stick or capsule of tobacco, regardless of shape or size, that is intended to be heated under ordinary conditions of use; and (2) “Unstamped cigarette” means any package of cigarettes to which the proper amount of Connecticut cigarette tax stamps have not been affixed. (1949 Rev., S. 1972; 1949, 1951, S. 1122d; February, 1965, P.A. 627, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 788, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 393, S. 1; P.A. 75-432; P.A. 84-525, S. 1, 8; P.A. 85-600, S. 1, 4; P.A. 95-79, S. 30, 189; P.A. 96-240, S. 1, 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 27, 85; P.A. 03-225, S. 3; P.A. 06-194, S. 10; P.A. 11-37, S. 1; P.A. 19-13, S. 1; P.A. 25-168, S. 394.) History: 1965 act defined “cigarette” for purposes of parts I and II; 1967 act rephrased Subdiv. (2) of definition of “distributor” to refer to place of business which has storage facilities for cigarettes rather than which has on hand at all times a substantial stock of cigarettes, added Subdiv. (5) re importation of unstamped cigarettes and defined “unstamped cigarettes”; 1969 act deleted references to owning vending machines, referring rather to operating and servicing such machines in definitions of “distributor” and “dealer”; P.A. 75-432 added Subdiv. (6) in definition of “distributor” re storage facilities of unstamped cigarettes; P.A. 84-525 amended definition of “distributor” to provide: In Subdiv. (2), that cigarettes are to be sold to licensed dealers and that the distributor shall maintain a place of business used exclusively for the business; in Subdiv. (3), that a distributor may sell cigarettes only to stores operated by him; and in Subdiv. (4), that a person holding a vending machine distributor's license must hold another license if such person sells cigarettes other than in vending machines; P.A. 85-600 redefined “distributor” to establish a new category of distributor, for purposes of licensing requirements, comprised of any person operating five or more retail stores in Connecticut for sale of cigarettes who purchases at wholesale for sale to dealers but sells such cigarettes exclusively to retail stores he is operating; P.A. 95-79 redefined “person” to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 96-240 added the definition of “restricted cigarette vending machine” and excluded such machines from the definition of “cigarette vending machines”, effective June 6, 1996; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 divided section into Subsecs. (a) and (b), deleted provision re classification as a vending machine dealer in the definition of “dealer”, redefined “stamp” to provide for authorization of Commissioner of Revenue Services, delete provision re impressions made by metering machines and include heat-applied decals, included roll-your-own tobacco in the definition of “cigarette”, added a definition of “roll-your-own tobacco” and made technical and conforming changes, effective January 1, 2002; P.A. 03-225 amended Subsec. (b) to delete Subpara. (B) re roll-your-own tobacco and make a technical change in Subdiv. (1) and to delete Subdiv. (3) re definition of “roll-your-own tobacco”, effective January 1, 2002; P.A. 06-194 amended Subsec. (a)(5) by adding any person engaged in the business of selling taxed tobacco products at retail to definition of “dealer”, effective July 1, 2006; P.A. 11-37 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to redefine “distributor” by adding provision re any person franchising 5 or more retail stores who shares in the gross profits generated by such stores, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 19-13 amended Subsec. (a) by redefining “sale” or “sell” in Subdiv. (8), adding Subdiv. (10) defining “tobacco products”, and adding Subdiv. (11) defining “taxed tobacco products”, and made technical changes; P.A. 25-168 amended Subsec. (b) by redefining “cigarette” in Subdiv. (1), effective July 1, 2025.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-285a Definitions for purposes of sections 12-286a, 12-295a and 12-314a.

12-285a. Definitions for purposes of sections 12-286a, 12-295a and 12-314a. For purposes of sections 12-286a, 12-295a, and 12-314a: (1) “Distributor” includes a manufacturer of tobacco products; (2) “sale” or “sell” means an act done intentionally by any person, whether done as principal, proprietor, agent, servant or employee, of transferring, or offering or attempting to transfer, for consideration, cigarettes or tobacco products, including bartering or exchanging, or offering to barter or exchange, cigarettes or tobacco products; (3) “give” or “giving” means an act done intentionally by any person, whether done as principal, proprietor, agent, servant or employee, of transferring, or offering or attempting to transfer, without consideration, cigarettes or tobacco products; (4) “deliver” or “delivering” means an act done intentionally by any person, whether as principal, proprietor, agent, servant or employee, of transferring, or offering or attempting to transfer, physical possession or control of cigarettes or tobacco products. (P.A. 96-240, S. 9, 10; P.A. 97-243, S. 11, 67; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 3, 121; P.A. 19-13, S. 20.) History: P.A. 96-240 effective June 6, 1996; P.A. 97-243 added definitions of “sale” or “sell”, “give” or “giving” and “deliver” or “delivering”, effective July 1, 1997; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 deleted reference to Sec. 12-315a, effective June 24, 1998; P.A. 19-13 deleted reference to Sec. 53-344(a).

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-285b Licensure of cigarette manufacturers. Fees.

12-285b. Licensure of cigarette manufacturers. Fees. (a) Every tobacco product manufacturer, as defined in section 4-28h, selling cigarettes to consumers within this state, whether directly or through a distributor, dealer, or similar intermediary or intermediaries, shall secure a cigarette manufacturer's license from the Commissioner of Revenue Services. Such license shall be renewable annually. The annual fee for a cigarette manufacturer's license shall be five thousand two hundred fifty dollars. The commissioner shall not include or retain in the directory of tobacco product manufacturers developed and maintained in accordance with section 4-28m the name or brand families of any tobacco product manufacturer that has failed to secure and retain a cigarette manufacturer's license in accordance with this section. (b) The commissioner shall not issue or reissue a cigarette manufacturer's license to an applicant if any of the following conditions apply: (1) The applicant is neither (A) a participating manufacturer, as defined in Subsection II(jj) of the Master Settlement Agreement, as defined in section 4-28h, nor (B) in full compliance with section 4-28i; (2) the applicant has imported cigarettes into the United States in violation of 19 USC 1681a; or (3) the applicant has imported or manufactured cigarettes that do not fully comply with the federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, 15 USC 1331 et seq. (c) Such license shall be valid for a period beginning with the date of license to the thirtieth day of September next succeeding the date of license unless sooner revoked in the same manner provided in section 12-295 for revocation of the license of a dealer or distributor or unless the person to whom it was issued discontinues business. Upon revocation or discontinuance of business, the holder of the license shall immediately return such license to the commissioner. In the event of mutilation or destruction of such license, a duplicate copy, marked as such, shall be issued by said commissioner upon application accompanied by a fee of fifteen dollars. (P.A. 03-271, S. 2; P.A. 05-260, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 153.) History: P.A. 03-271 effective October 1, 2004; P.A. 05-260 amended Subsec. (a) to exclude from directory of tobacco product manufacturers those not licensed, effective July 1, 2005; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fee for cigarette manufacturer's license from $5,000 to $5,250 and amended Subsec. (c) to increase fee for duplicate copy from $5 to $15.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-285c Restrictions on shipping or transporting cigarettes. Penalties.

12-285c. Restrictions on shipping or transporting cigarettes. Penalties. (a) No person engaged in the business of selling cigarettes shall ship or transport or cause to be shipped or transported any cigarettes to any person in this state except to: (1) A cigarette distributor or dealer; (2) an export warehouse proprietor pursuant to Chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, or an operator of a customs bonded warehouse pursuant to 19 USC 1311 or 1555; or (3) a person who is an officer, employee or agent of the United States Government, this state or a department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States or of this state, when such person is acting in accordance with such person's official duties. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-15, the Commissioner of Revenue Services shall publish on the Internet web site of the Department of Revenue Services a list of every cigarette distributor or dealer. As used in this subsection, “cigarette distributor or dealer” means a person licensed as a cigarette distributor under section 12-288 or licensed as a dealer under section 12-287 or a person whose name appears on a list of licensed distributors and dealers published by the Commissioner of Revenue Services. (b) No common or contract carrier shall knowingly transport cigarettes to a residential dwelling or to any person in this state who the common or contract carrier reasonably believes is not a person described in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section. No person other than a common or contract carrier shall knowingly transport cigarettes to any person in this state who is not a person described in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section. (c) When a person engaged in the business of selling cigarettes ships or transports or causes to be shipped or transported any cigarettes to any described person in this state, other than in the cigarette manufacturer's original container or wrapping, the container or wrapping shall be plainly and visibly marked with the word “cigarettes”. Any person engaged in the business of selling cigarettes who ships or causes to be shipped any cigarettes to any described person in this state (1) shall require, as a condition of delivery, the customer who is receiving the cigarettes to sign an acknowledgment of receipt and provide proper proof of age, and (2) may not sell such cigarettes to such customer unless such proof of age is provided. For purposes of this subsection, “described person” means a person described in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section. (d) Whenever any cigarettes have been or are being shipped or transported in violation of this section, such cigarettes are declared to be contraband goods and the confiscation, search and forfeiture provisions of section 12-305 shall apply. (e) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor and, for a second or subsequent violation, shall be guilty of a class C felony. (f) The Commissioner of Revenue Services may impose a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each violation of this section. For purposes of this subsection, each shipment or transport of cigarettes shall constitute a separate violation. The Attorney General, upon request of the commissioner, may bring an action in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to collect such civil penalty and for any injunctive or equitable relief. In any action brought by the Attorney General to enforce the provisions of section 12-285b or this section, the state shall be entitled to recover, when it is the prevailing party, the costs of investigation, expert witness fees, costs of the action, and reasonable attorneys' fees. (P.A. 03-271, S. 1; P.A. 05-288, S. 52; P.A. 10-32, S. 37; P.A. 18-25, S. 1.) History: P.A. 03-271 effective July 1, 2003; P.A. 05-288 made a technical change in Subsec. (f), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 18-25 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (c), amended Subsec. (e) by changing penalty from class D felony to class C felony, and amended Subsec. (f) by increasing civil penalty from $5,000 to $10,000, effective July 1, 2018.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-285d Cigarette rolling machines. Licensure requirements.

12-285d. Cigarette rolling machines. Licensure requirements. (a) Any machine at a retail establishment or commercial premises that enables a person to process, at such establishment or premises, tobacco or any product that is made or derived from tobacco into a roll or tube shall be deemed a cigarette rolling machine. (b) Every person owning, leasing, possessing, controlling, operating or otherwise using any cigarette rolling machine, as described in subsection (a) of this section, at such person's retail establishment or commercial premises in this state, or permitting or allowing the operation or use at such person's retail establishment or commercial premises in this state of any such cigarette rolling machine, shall be deemed to be a tobacco product manufacturer, as defined in section 4-28h, and shall be required to secure and retain a cigarette manufacturer's license in accordance with section 12-285b. (c) Any cigarette dealer's license or cigarette distributor's license issued under the provisions of this chapter, and any tobacco products distributor's license issued under the provisions of chapter 214a, to any person described in subsection (b) of this section shall, if such person has not secured and does not retain a cigarette manufacturer's license in accordance with section 12-285b, be subject to suspension or revocation in accordance with sections 12-295 and 12-330e. Any such person's failure to secure and retain a cigarette manufacturer's license, in accordance with section 12-285b, shall also be deemed to be a failure to comply with the provisions of chapter 219, and the seller's permit of any such person shall also be subject to suspension or revocation in accordance with section 12-409. (d) Any person described in subsection (b) of this section who is issued a cigarette manufacturer's license in accordance with section 12-285b and who intends to distribute in this state the cigarettes such person manufactures, shall be required to obtain a cigarette distributor's license in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this section shall relieve any person who has been issued a license as required by this section from the obligation to comply with all other provisions of law, including, but not limited to, the provisions of this chapter and chapters 47, 214a and 541. (June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 123.)

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-286 Dealers and distributors to be licensed. Regulations re licensing vending machines. Refusal to issue license. Penalties.

12-286. Dealers and distributors to be licensed. Regulations re licensing vending machines. Refusal to issue license. Penalties. (a)(1) The commissioner shall, after May 25, 1994, require for an initial application for a distributor's license, in addition to such other information deemed to be necessary, the filing of three affidavits from three recognized manufacturers of cigarettes stating such manufacturers' intent to supply the distributor if the applicant is granted a license. A chain store shall be exempt from filing such affidavits. Any pending application on May 25, 1994, and any person purchasing the business of a licensed distributor shall be exempt from filing such affidavits. For purposes of this subsection, “chain store” means the operator or franchisor of five or more retail establishments. (2) The commissioner may make public a list of recognized manufacturers of cigarettes. (b) A separate license shall be required for each class of business if the applicant is engaged in business both as a distributor and dealer. The commissioner shall prescribe the form of application for a distributor's license and for a dealer's license. Each license so issued shall be conspicuously displayed on the premises covered by the license. (c) The commissioner shall make regulations not inconsistent with the law for the licensing of vending machines. (d) The commissioner may, in the commissioner's discretion, refuse to issue a license if there is reasonable ground to believe (1) that the applicant has wilfully made any false statement of substance with respect to such application for license, (2) that the applicant has neglected to pay any taxes due to this state, or (3) that the applicant has been convicted of violating any of the cigarette or other tobacco products tax laws of this or any other state or the cigarette tax laws of the United States or has such a criminal record that the commissioner reasonably believes that such applicant is not a suitable person to be issued a license, provided no refusal shall be rendered under this subdivision except in accordance with the provisions of sections 46a-80 and 46a-81. (e) (1) Any person who knowingly sells, offers for sale or possesses with intent to sell any cigarettes, without a license as provided in this chapter, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both, for each offense. Each day of such unauthorized operation may be deemed a separate offense. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any person whose dealer's license has expired, provided the period of operation without such license is not more than ninety days after the date of expiration. (2) Any person who knowingly sells at retail, offers for sale at retail or possesses with intent to sell at retail any taxed tobacco products, as defined in section 12-330a, without a dealer's license as provided in this chapter, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both, for each offense. Each day of such unauthorized operation may be deemed a separate offense. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any person whose dealer's license has expired, provided the period of operation without such license is not more than ninety days from the date of expiration. (3) Any person whose dealer's license has expired and who knowingly sells at retail, offers for sale at retail or possesses with intent to sell at retail any cigarettes or taxed tobacco products, as defined in section 12-330a, where such person's period of operation without such license is not more than ninety days from the date of expiration of such license, shall be fined three hundred fifty dollars. (1949 Rev., S. 1973; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 12; 1967, P.A. 788, S. 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 84-525, S. 2, 8; P.A. 85-372, S. 2, 4; 85-600, S. 2, 4; P.A. 88-314, S. 12, 54; P.A. 93-15, S. 1, 9; 93-74, S. 12, 67; P.A. 94-80, S. 1, 3; P.A. 00-174, S. 29, 83; P.A. 05-96, S. 1; P.A. 06-194, S. 11; P.A. 11-37, S. 2; 11-61, S. 62; P.A. 18-25, S. 2.) History: 1961 act increased dealer's license fee; 1967 act allowed each day of unauthorized operation to be considered a separate offense, allowed commissioner to withhold license for applicants who withhold information or submit false or misleading information etc. and deleted requirement that vending machine operators put name, address and license number on each machine; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 84-525 increased distributor's license fee from $150 to $1,000 and the dealer's license fee from $10 to $25; P.A. 85-372 expanded the grounds for refusal of a license by the commissioner, which were previously limited to withholding information or submitting false or misleading information; P.A. 85-600 provided for exceptions to the license fee requirement for distributors under which a distributor who sells exclusively to retail stores he is operating pays a lower fee than other distributors as follows: $250 annually if he operates less than fifteen retail stores, $500 annually if he operates fifteen or more retail stores but less than twenty-five and $1,000, if he operates twenty-five or more retail stores; P.A. 88-314 increased the fine and added the provision concerning imprisonment applicable to any person who, without a license as required in this section, knowingly sells or possesses cigarettes with intent to sell, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; P.A. 93-15 deleted license fee provisions, deleted provision requiring dealer or distributor to apply for license before doing business, deleted reference to vending machine license applications and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-74 provided that commissioner shall require affidavits from three recognized domestic manufacturers; P.A. 94-80 exempted chain stores and persons purchasing the business of a licensed distributor from the required filing of affidavits, eliminated the requirement that a manufacturer supplying an affidavit be a domestic manufacturer and defined the term “chain store” for purposes of section, effective May 25, 1994; P.A. 00-174 divided existing provisions into Subsecs. (a) to (e), added Subsec. (a)(2) allowing information about manufacturers to be released by the commissioner and made technical changes for purposes of organization and gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2000; P.A. 05-96 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to remove reference to franchisor within the definition of “chain store”, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 06-194 amended Subsec. (d)(3) by adding violation of other tobacco products tax laws as grounds for refusal to issue license, and amended Subsec. (e) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (2) re penalty for sale, offer or possession of taxed tobacco products without a dealer's license, effective July 1, 2006; P.A. 11-37 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to redefine “chain store” by adding “or franchisor” and deleting “with common ownership and control”, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-61 amended Subsec. (e)(1) and (2) by excepting from the penalties therein any person whose dealer's license expired, added reference to Sec. 12-330a in Subsec. (e)(2) and added Subsec. (e)(3) re penalty for selling by person whose dealer's license expired, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 18-25 amended Subsec. (e) by increasing penalty from $500 or imprisoned for not more than 3 months, or both, to $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both, in Subdivs. (1) and (2), and by increasing penalty from $90 to $350 and making a conforming change in Subdiv. (3), effective July 1, 2018.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-286a Notice of restriction on sale of cigarettes and tobacco products. Investigation by Commissioner of Consumer Protection. Penalties.

12-286a. Notice of restriction on sale of cigarettes and tobacco products. Investigation by Commissioner of Consumer Protection. Penalties. (a) Each distributor and each dealer shall place and maintain in legible condition at each point of sale of cigarettes to consumers, including the front of each cigarette vending machine, and each restricted cigarette vending machine a notice which states (1) that the sale, giving or delivering of tobacco products, including cigarettes, to any person under twenty-one years of age is prohibited by section 53-344, (2) the misrepresentation of age through the use of false identification by a person under twenty-one years of age to purchase cigarettes or tobacco products is prohibited by said section, and (3) the penalties and fines for violating said section and section 12-295a. (b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars. (c) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may investigate any alleged violation of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section and, if there appears to be reasonable cause therefor, on reasonable notice to any person accused of any such violation, may make complaint to the prosecuting authority having jurisdiction of any such complaint or may, after notice and a hearing as provided in section 20-321, fine a distributor or dealer who violates said subsection (a) one hundred dollars per violation. Each day a distributor or dealer fails to post a notice in violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be a separate violation. (P.A. 92-66, S. 3; P.A. 96-240, S. 2, 10; P.A. 07-175, S. 2; P.A. 19-13, S. 2.) History: P.A. 96-240 amended Subsec. (a) to include reference to restricted cigarette vending machines and to require notice of penalties for certain violations, effective June 6, 1996; P.A. 07-175 added Subsec. (c) authorizing Commissioner of Consumer Protection to conduct investigations, and impose penalties for violations; P.A. 19-13 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “eighteen” with “twenty-one”, deleting reference to purchase, adding reference to use of false identification and making technical changes.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-287 Dealer's license.

12-287. Dealer's license. (a) Each person engaging in, or intending to engage in, the business of selling cigarettes in this state as a dealer and each person engaging in, or intending to engage in, the business of selling taxed tobacco products at retail shall secure a dealer's license from the Commissioner of Revenue Services before engaging in such business or continuing to engage therein. The department shall not issue an initial license to an applicant until such applicant has complied with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section. Subject to the provisions of section 12-286, such license shall be renewable annually, provided that prior to renewal the commissioner shall consider and respond to any comments received pursuant to section 12-287a. (b) (1) Upon filing an application, an applicant shall, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, give notice of such application to the clerk of the municipality where the business is to be located. Such notice shall contain the name and residential address of the applicant and the location of the place of business for which such license is to be issued. Upon receipt of such notice, the clerk shall post and maintain such notice on the Internet web site of the municipality for at least two weeks. (2) Not later than the day following the date an applicant provides notice pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the applicant shall affix a copy of such notice, which shall be maintained in a legible condition, upon the outer door of the building wherein such place of business is to be located. If an application is filed for a license for a building that has not yet been constructed, the applicant shall, not later than the day following the date an applicant provides notice pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, erect and maintain in a legible condition on the site where the business is to be located, a sign that (A) is not less than six feet by four feet, (B) contains the license applied for and the name of the proposed licensee, and (C) is clearly visible from the public highway. (3) An applicant shall make a return to the department, under oath, of compliance with the requirements of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, in such form as the department may require. The department may require additional proof of compliance. Upon receipt of sufficient evidence of such compliance, the department may hold a hearing as to the suitability of the proposed location. (c) (1) Any ten persons who are at least eighteen years of age and who are residents of the town in which the place of business is intended to be operated under the license or renewal applied for, may file with the department, not later than three weeks after the last date of the posting of notice pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section for an initial license, and, in the case of renewal of an existing license, at least twenty-one days before the renewal date of such license, a remonstrance containing any objection to the suitability of such applicant or proposed place of business. Upon the filing of such remonstrance, the department, upon written application, shall hold a hearing and provide such notice as it deems reasonable of the time and place at least five days before such hearing. The remonstrants shall designate one or more agents for service, who shall serve as the recipient or recipients of all notices issued by the department. At any time prior to the issuance of a decision by the department, a remonstrance may be withdrawn by the remonstrants or by such agent or agents acting on behalf of such remonstrants and the department may cancel the hearing or withdraw the case. The decision of the department on such application shall be final with respect to the remonstrance. (2) Any ten persons who have filed a remonstrance pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection and who are aggrieved by the granting of a license by the department may appeal therefrom in accordance with section 4-183. (d) The annual fee for a dealer's license shall be two hundred dollars. Such license shall be valid for a period beginning with the date of license to the thirtieth day of September next succeeding the date of license unless sooner revoked as provided in section 12-295, or unless the person to whom it was issued discontinues business, in either of which cases the holder of the license shall immediately return it to the commissioner. In the event of mutilation or destruction of such license, a duplicate copy, marked as such, shall be issued by said commissioner upon an application accompanied by a fee of fifteen dollars. (1949 Rev., S. 1974; 1959, P.A. 620, S. 1; P.A. 75-477, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 84-525, S. 3, 8; P.A. 93-15, S. 2, 9; P.A. 06-194, S. 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 154; P.A. 19-13, S. 3; P.A. 24-81, S. 59; P.A. 25-39, S. 10; 25-166, S. 1.) History: 1959 act increased fees for original and duplicate licenses; P.A. 75-477 required annual renewal of license, previously license was permanently in effect; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 84-525 increased the fee from $10 to $25; P.A. 93-15 made minor changes re issuance and renewal of a dealer's license, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 06-194 added requirement that persons in the business of selling taxed tobacco products at retail obtain a dealer's license, effective July 1, 2006; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 increased fee for dealer's license from $25 to $50 and increased fee for duplicate copy from $5 to $15; P.A. 19-13 increased fee for dealer's license from $50 to $200; P.A. 24-81 designated existing provisions re securing license as Subsec. (a) and added provisions re compliance with Subsec. (b) and comments pursuant to Sec. 12-287a, added Subsec. (b) re notice and Subsec. (c) re remonstrance, designated existing provisions re license validity, fee and duplicate copy as Subsec. (d), and made a technical change; P.A. 25-39 made technical changes in Subsec. (a); P.A. 25-166 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision requiring commissioner to respond to comments received pursuant to Sec. 12-287a and amended Subsec. (c)(1) by deleting exception re issue controlled by local zoning, effective July 1, 2025.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-287a Adoption of ordinance re written notice of dealer's license renewal application.

12-287a. Adoption of ordinance re written notice of dealer's license renewal application. A municipality may adopt an ordinance requiring that each person who files an application to renew a license pursuant to section 12-287 shall simultaneously give written notice of such renewal application to the chief law enforcement official, or such chief law enforcement official's designee, of the town in which any place of business to be operated under such license is located. Such chief law enforcement official, or such chief law enforcement official's designee, shall respond in writing, not later than fifteen days after receipt of such notice, to the Commissioner of Revenue Services, with comments regarding the renewal application that is the subject of such notice. Prior to approving or denying such application, the commissioner shall (1) consider any written comments offered by such chief law enforcement official, or such chief law enforcement official's designee, and (2) send a written response to such chief law enforcement official, or such chief law enforcement official's designee, providing a detailed response to such written comments. (P.A. 24-81, S. 57; P.A. 25-166, S. 2.) History: P.A. 25-166 added provision requiring chief law enforcement official or designee to provide written response to commissioner, designated existing provision re consideration of written comments as Subdiv. (1), added Subdiv. (2) requiring commissioner to provide written response to chief law enforcement official or designee, and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2025.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-288 Distributor's license.

12-288. Distributor's license. Each person engaging in, or intending to engage in, the business of selling cigarettes in this state as a distributor shall secure a license from the Commissioner of Revenue Services before engaging or continuing to engage in such business. Subject to the provisions of section 12-286, such license shall be renewable annually. The annual fee for a distributor's license shall be one thousand two hundred fifty dollars, provided in the case of a distributor who sells cigarettes as a distributor exclusively to retail stores which such distributor is operating, the fee for such distributor's license shall be: (1) Three hundred fifteen dollars annually if such distributor operates or franchises less than fifteen such retail stores; (2) six hundred twenty-five dollars annually if such distributor operates or franchises fifteen or more but less than twenty-five such retail stores; and (3) one thousand two hundred fifty dollars annually if such distributor operates or franchises twenty-five or more such retail stores. Such license shall be valid for a period beginning with the date of license to the thirtieth day of September next succeeding the date of license unless sooner revoked by the commissioner as provided in section 12-295 or unless the person to whom such license was issued discontinues business, in either of which cases the holder of the license shall immediately return it to the Commissioner of Revenue Services. (1949 Rev., S. 1975; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 93-15, S. 3, 9; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 155; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-8, S. 18; P.A. 11-37, S. 3.) History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 93-15 added provisions re fee for and requirements of distributor's license, effective July 1, 1993; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 increased distributor's license fees applicable to distributors who sell exclusively to retail stores which they are operating; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-8 increased fee for distributor's license from $1,000 to $1,250, effective October 5, 2009, and applicable to the renewal of a license that expires on or after September 30, 2009; P.A. 11-37 added references to franchises, effective July 1, 2011.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-289 Vending machines; inspection and approval; identification; sealing on violation. Revocation of license; hearing.

12-289. Vending machines; inspection and approval; identification; sealing on violation. Revocation of license; hearing. (a) Each cigarette vending machine licensed for use in this state shall be subject to the inspection and approval of the Commissioner of Revenue Services and only the owner of such machine or his authorized representative shall service and maintain such machines in good operating condition and only he shall provide for the replenishing of cigarettes in such machines. No cigarette vending machine shall be approved for use in this state unless it is so constructed, located and serviced that the Connecticut cigarette stamp or impression may be seen and identified on at least one package of each brand of cigarettes sold therein. (b) Each cigarette vending machine operator shall place and maintain in legible condition on the front of each vending machine operated or controlled by him, his name, address, telephone number and license number and a telephone number which may be called for service or to report misuse of the machine at any hour of the day if different from the number of the operator. (c) Whenever a cigarette vending machine is not properly identified as required by this section, or whenever any unstamped cigarettes are found in any machine in violation of this chapter, or whenever any cigarette vending machine is placed in a location in violation of section 12-289a, the commissioner or an authorized agent of the commissioner shall seal the machine to prevent sale or removal of any cigarettes from the machine until such time as the violation is corrected in the presence of an authorized agent of the commissioner. Any person other than an authorized agent of the Commissioner of Revenue Services who knowingly removes or otherwise tampers with any seal or seals placed on any vending machine by the commissioner or an authorized agent shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both. The commissioner may suspend or revoke the license of any cigarette vending machine operator for failure to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or regulations related thereto, following a hearing with respect to which notice in writing, specifying the time and place of such hearing and requiring such operator to show cause why such license should not be revoked, is mailed or delivered to such operator not less than ten days preceding the date of such hearing. Such notice may be served personally or by registered or certified mail. The commissioner shall not issue a new license to a former licensee whose license was revoked unless the commissioner is satisfied that such former licensee will comply with the provisions of this chapter or regulations related thereto. (1949, S. 1123d; 1967, P.A. 788, S. 3; 1969, P.A. 70, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 84-492, S. 1, 8; P.A. 88-314, S. 13, 54; P.A. 92-66, S. 1.) History: 1967 act placed previous provisions in Subsecs. (a) and (c), added Subsec. (b) requiring operator's name, address and license number on each machine, amended Subsec. (a) to require that machines be accessible to inspection and approval of commissioner rather than accessible to purchaser and to require that stamp be visible on at least one cigarette pack of each brand and added provisions in Subsec. (c) re sealing machines for violations of requirements; 1969 act required telephone number for service calls to be posted on machine in Subsec. (b); P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 84-492 amended Subsec. (c) to include specific procedures for notice of hearings and concerning the commissioner's discretion relative to issuance of a new license to a former licensee whose license was revoked; P.A. 88-314 amended the provision in Subsec. (c) imposing a fine on any person, other than an agent of the commissioner, who removes or tampers with any seal on a vending machine, to require that such action must occur with knowledge, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; P.A. 92-66 amended Subsec. (b) to add report for misuse of vending machine and Subsec. (c) to add violation of Sec. 12-289a to grounds for sealing machine.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-289a Vending machines: Placement restrictions. Penalties.

12-289a. Vending machines: Placement restrictions. Penalties. (a) No cigarette vending machine or restricted cigarette vending machine may be placed in an area, facility or business which may be accessed by persons under the age of twenty-one unless it is placed in an area, facility or business permitted under chapter 545 that has a separate area accessible only to persons twenty-one years of age or older and the machine is placed in such separate area. No cigarettes may be dispensed from any machine other than a cigarette vending machine or a restricted cigarette vending machine. (b) The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall assess any person, dealer or distributor who violates the provisions of this section a civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars for a first violation and five hundred dollars for a second violation within eighteen months. For a third violation within eighteen months, such penalty shall be five hundred dollars and any such machine shall be immediately removed from such area, facility or business and no such machine may be placed in such area, facility or business for a period of one year following such removal. (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting a town or municipality from imposing more restrictive conditions on the use of vending machines for the sale of cigarettes. A municipality shall be responsible for the enforcement of such conditions. (P.A. 92-66, S. 2; P.A. 96-240, S. 3, 10; P.A. 19-13, S. 4.) History: P.A. 96-240 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to restricted cigarette vending machines and to bar dispensing of cigarettes from any machine other than those defined in this chapter, deleted former Subsec. (b) re placement of cigarette vending machines, relettered former Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (h) and inserted new Subsecs. (b) to (g), inclusive, re placement of machines and penalties for violations, effective June 6, 1996; P.A. 19-13 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision prohibiting placement of vending machines in areas, facilities or businesses accessed by persons under the age of 21 without a separate area accessible only to such persons, deleted former Subsecs. (b) to (f) and redesignated existing Subsecs. (g) and (h) as new Subsecs. (b) and (c).

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-291a Penalty for failure to secure or renew license.

12-291a. Penalty for failure to secure or renew license. Any person who fails to secure or renew a license as provided in section 12-287 or 12-288 shall forfeit as a penalty for each day of operation without such license the sum of fifty dollars. The commissioner is authorized to waive all or any part of the penalties provided in this section when it is proven to his satisfaction that the failure to secure or renew such license was due to reasonable cause. (1967, P.A. 788, S. 4; P.A. 93-15, S. 4, 9; P.A. 19-13, S. 5.) History: P.A. 93-15 deleted reference to repealed Sec. 12-291 re penalty for failure to secure a vending machine dealer's license, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 19-13 increased penalty for failure to secure or renew a license from $5 to $50.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-292 Advertising sale of untaxed cigarettes.

12-292. Advertising sale of untaxed cigarettes. Any written advertisement in this state for the sale of untaxed cigarettes for use and consumption in this state shall contain the following words in not less than fourteen point reverse type in block form: “These cigarettes are subject to the payment of the Connecticut cigarette use tax and the Connecticut use tax and may be subject to seizure as contraband goods.” In the case of any such advertisement being announced verbally, such announcement shall be immediately followed by the words above enclosed in quotation marks. Any person engaged in the business of selling cigarettes, whether or not issued a license by the commissioner under the provisions of this part, violating the provisions of this section shall be fined five hundred dollars for each offense. (1949, S. 1125d; P.A. 88-314, S. 14, 54; P.A. 89-251, S. 15, 203; P.A. 03-225, S. 4.) History: P.A. 88-314 increased the fine to $500 for each violation of the requirement that any advertisement concerning the sale of untaxed cigarettes must contain certain words that the cigarettes are subject to Connecticut cigarette tax, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; P.A. 89-251 added reference to fact that cigarettes are subject to the state use tax and that this section is applicable whether or not the person selling has been issued a license to sell cigarettes by the state; P.A. 03-225 added provision re type size of advertisement, effective July 1, 2003.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-293a Reporting requirements. Registration fee for vending machines. List of customers.

12-293a. Reporting requirements. Registration fee for vending machines. List of customers. (a) Each licensed distributor and dealer shall file with the Commissioner of Revenue Services, on or before the twenty-fifth day of each month, a report for the calendar month immediately preceding in such form and containing such information as the commissioner may prescribe. The return shall be accompanied by a payment of the amount of the tax shown to be due thereon. The commissioner by regulation may exempt from the monthly reporting requirements of this section those distributors and dealers who do not acquire unstamped cigarettes and in lieu thereof may require an annual report, prescribed as to form by the Commissioner of Revenue Services and bearing notice to the effect that false statements made in such report are punishable, if, in the commissioner's discretion, the enforcement of this chapter would not be adversely affected. (b) Each licensed distributor or dealer who owns or operates cigarette vending machines shall file a report with the Commissioner of Revenue Services, at such time and in such form as the commissioner may prescribe. (c) If any person fails to pay the amount of tax reported due on its report within the time specified under this section, there shall be imposed a penalty equal to ten per cent of such amount due and unpaid, or fifty dollars, whichever is greater. No person shall be subject to a penalty under both this section and subsection (b) of section 12-309. Such amount shall bear interest at the rate of one per cent per month or fraction thereof, from the due date of such tax until the date of payment. (d) Subject to the provisions of section 12-3a, the commissioner may waive all or part of the penalties provided under this chapter when it is proven to his satisfaction that the failure to pay any tax was due to reasonable cause and was not intentional or due to neglect. (1967, P.A. 788, S. 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 79-18, S. 1, 2; P.A. 82-172, S. 5, 14; P.A. 84-525, S. 4, 8; P.A. 88-314, S. 15, 54; P.A. 93-15, S. 5, 9; P.A. 95-26, S. 9, 52; P.A. 00-174, S. 57, 83; P.A. 04-201, S. 8; P.A. 05-260, S. 3.) History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-18 required monthly report from operators of more than five machines, rather than from operators of two or more machines as previously and required semiannual report from operators of five or fewer machines and substituted “period for which a report is filed” for “month” in provision re registration fee for newly acquired machines; P.A. 82-172 added the penalty of $50 for failure to file reports with the commissioner when required, which penalty replaced the previous requirement of $5 for each day any such report is overdue and eliminated provision allowing waiver of penalty by commissioner under certain conditions; P.A. 84-525 included the provision permitting the commissioner to require, by regulation, the annual reporting and monthly updating of a customers list; P.A. 88-314 required with reference to the monthly report to be filed by such distributor and dealer that the report is to be accompanied by the amount of tax due thereon and added provisions related to the penalty and interest for failure to pay the tax within the time specified, including the rate of interest to be added and the period during which interest shall run, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; P.A. 93-15 deleted references to a vending machine dealer's license and changed date of report from the tenth day of the month to the twenty-fifth day of the month, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-26 divided section into Subsecs. (a) to (e) and amended Subsec. (d) to lower interest rate from 1.25% to $1%, effective July 1, 1995, and applicable to taxes due and owing on or after July 1, 1995, whether or not those taxes first became due before said date; P.A. 00-174 amended Subsec. (a) to delete a reference to affidavit, to add provisions re prescribed form and false statements, and to make technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2000; P.A. 04-201 deleted former Subsec. (c) re authorization to adopt regulations and redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) and (e) as new Subsecs. (c) and (d), effective June 3, 2004; P.A. 05-260 amended Subsec. (b) to make report applicable to any licensed distributor or dealer, regardless of number of vending machines owned or operated, and to allow commissioner to prescribe time and form of report, effective July 13, 2005.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-294 Transfer of license. Successor tax liability.

12-294. Transfer of license. Successor tax liability. (a) If a distributor or dealer removes his or her business from one location to another during the period in which the license is in force, the commissioner shall transfer the license to the new location without an additional fee. (b) (1) If any distributor or dealer liable for any amount due under this chapter sells out his or her business or stock of goods or quits the business, such distributor's or dealer's successors or assigns shall withhold a sufficient amount of the purchase price to pay the amount due under this chapter from the distributor or dealer until the distributor or dealer provides to such successor or assignee a receipt from the commissioner showing that such amount has been paid or a certificate stating that no amount is due. (2) If any such successor or assignee fails to withhold the purchase price as required, such successor or assignee shall be personally liable for the payment of the amount required to be withheld by such successor or assignee to the extent of the purchase price, valued in money. (c) (1) No later than the sixtieth day after the latest of the dates specified in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the commissioner shall either issue the certificate stating that no amount is due or mail notice of the amount that must be paid as a condition of issuing the certificate. Such notice shall be mailed to such successor or assignee at such successor's or assignee's address as it appears on the records of the commissioner. (2) For purposes of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the latest of the following dates shall apply: (A) The date the commissioner receives a written request from the successor or assignee for a certificate; (B) the date of the sale of the business or stock of goods; or (C) the date the former owner's records are made available for audit. (d) Failure of the commissioner to mail the notice referred to in subsection (c) of this section shall release the successor or assignee from any further obligation to withhold the purchase price as provided in subsection (b) of this section. The period within which the obligation of the successor or assignee may be enforced shall commence on the date the distributor or dealer sells out his or her business or stock of goods or quits the business or on the date the assessment against such distributor or dealer becomes final, whichever event occurs later, and shall end three years after such date. (e) The certificate provided for in subsection (c) of this section may be issued after the payment of all amounts due under this chapter, according to the records of the department as of the date of the certificate, or after the payment of the amounts is secured to the satisfaction of the commissioner. (f) The obligation of the successor or assignee shall be enforced by serving a notice of successor liability on the successor or assignee. Any such notice shall be issued not later than three years after the date the commissioner is notified by the successor or assignee of the purchase of the business or stock of goods. The successor or assignee may protest the assessment in the manner provided in section 12-311. Upon the issuance of an order by the commissioner pursuant to section 12-311, the successor or assignee may appeal such order in accordance with the provisions of section 12-312. (1949 Rev., S. 1977; P.A. 03-225, S. 5; P.A. 17-147, S. 28; P.A. 24-151, S. 97.) History: P.A. 03-225 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), making a technical change therein, and added Subsecs. (b) to (f), inclusive, re successor tax liability, effective July 1, 2003; P.A. 17-147 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to add references to dealer and amended Subsec. (d) to replace “person” with “distributor or dealer”, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 24-151 amended Subsec. (d) to make a technical change and amended Subsec. (f) to replace provision re notice served with provision re notice issued, delete provision re assessment becoming final 60 days after date notice is mailed and add provision re appeal of order.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-295 Suspension or revocation of license. Civil penalty. Issuance of new license after revocation.

12-295. Suspension or revocation of license. Civil penalty. Issuance of new license after revocation. (a) The commissioner may suspend or revoke the license of any dealer or distributor for (1) failure to comply with any provision of this chapter or regulations related thereto, or (2) for the sale or delivery of cigarettes or tobacco products to a person under twenty-one years of age, following a hearing with respect to which notice in writing, specifying the time and place of such hearing and requiring such dealer or distributor to show cause why such license should not be revoked, is mailed or delivered to such dealer or distributor not less than ten days preceding the date of such hearing. Such notice may be served personally or by registered or certified mail. (b) If the commissioner finds, after a hearing as provided in subsection (a) of this section, that a dealer has violated any provision of sections 12-326a to 12-326h, inclusive, the commissioner shall, for a first violation, suspend such dealer's license for not less than seven days and assess a civil penalty of not less than one thousand dollars and, for a second or subsequent violation on or before five years after the date of the first violation, suspend such dealer's license for not less than thirty days and assess a civil penalty of not less than five thousand dollars. The commissioner shall order such dealer to conspicuously post a notice in a public place stating that cigarettes and tobacco products cannot be sold during the period of such suspension and the reason therefor. Any sale of cigarettes or tobacco products by such dealer during the period of such suspension shall be deemed an additional violation of said sections. (c) If the commissioner finds, after a hearing as provided in subsection (a) of this section, that a distributor has violated any provision of sections 12-326a to 12-326h, inclusive, the commissioner shall (1) for a first violation, suspend such distributor's license for not less than seven days and assess a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars, (2) for a second violation on or before five years after the date of the first violation, suspend such distributor's license for not less than thirty days and assess a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars, and (3) for a subsequent violation on or before five years after the date of the first violation, revoke such distributor's license and assess a civil penalty of not more than fifty thousand dollars, except that if the violation is of subsection (b) of section 12-326b, the commissioner shall assess an additional civil penalty of one thousand dollars for each carton of cigarettes sold or bought in violation of said subsection. The commissioner shall order such distributor to conspicuously post a notice in a public place stating that cigarettes or tobacco products cannot be sold during the period of such suspension and the reason therefor. Any sale of cigarettes or tobacco products by such distributor during the period of such suspension shall be deemed an additional violation of said sections. (d) The commissioner shall not issue a new license to a former licensee whose license was revoked unless the commissioner is satisfied that such former licensee will comply with the provisions of this chapter or regulations related thereto. (1949 Rev., S. 1978; 1967, P.A. 788, S. 7; P.A. 84-492, S. 2, 8; 84-525, S. 7, 8; P.A. 93-368, S. 1; P.A. 94-80, S. 2, 3; P.A. 05-221, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5, S. 24; P.A. 19-13, S. 6.) History: 1967 act allowed suspension of license in addition to revocation and allowed either action to be taken upon conviction for acquiring, possessing or selling cigarettes illegally; P.A. 84-492 and P.A. 84-525 provided for revocation for failure to comply with regulations, removed the reference to revocation based on conviction of acquiring, possessing or selling cigarettes illegally, set out hearing procedures and included provisions concerning the commissioner's power to not issue a license to a person whose license was previously revoked; P.A. 93-368 designated provisions re suspension or revocation of licenses as Subsec. (a) and amended said Subsec. to authorize the commissioner to suspend or revoke a license for failure to comply with Sec. 53-344(a), inserted new Subsec. (b) re the sanctions and penalties imposed by the commissioner upon a dealer or distributor who has violated any provision of Secs. 12-326a to 12-326h, inclusive, and designated provisions re issuance of a new license to a former licensee as Subsec. (c); P.A. 94-80 amended Subsec. (a) replacing “subsection (a) of section 53-344” with “the sale or delivery of tobacco in any form to a minor under eighteen years of age” to be subject to suspension or revocation of license, effective May 25, 1994; P.A. 05-221 amended Subsec. (b) to limit provisions to sanctions and penalties imposed by the commissioner upon a dealer by deleting references to a distributor, specify the penalty is a “civil” penalty and make technical changes, added new Subsec. (c) re the sanctions and penalties imposed by the commissioner upon a distributor who has violated any provision of Secs. 12-326a to 12-326h, inclusive, and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 amended Subsec. (c) to add additional civil penalty of $1,000 for each carton sold or bought in violation of Sec. 12-326b(b), effective January 1, 2008; P.A. 19-13 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provisions re failure to comply with provisions of chapter or regulations as Subdiv. (1), designating existing provisions re sale or delivery of tobacco to certain persons as Subdiv. (2) and amended same by replacing “tobacco in any form” with “cigarettes or tobacco products”, replacing “minor under eighteen” with “person under twenty-one”, amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) by replacing “within a five-year period” with “on or before five years after the date of the first violation”, and made technical and conforming changes.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-295a Sale or delivery to minors. Online education program. Civil penalty. Suspension or revocation of license. Removal of vending machine.

12-295a. Sale or delivery to minors. Online education program. Civil penalty. Suspension or revocation of license. Removal of vending machine. (a) If the Commissioner of Revenue Services finds, after a hearing, that any person employed by a dealer or distributor, as defined in section 12-285, has sold, given or delivered cigarettes or tobacco products to a person under twenty-one years of age other than a person under twenty-one years of age who is delivering or accepting delivery in such person's capacity as an employee, said commissioner shall, for the first violation, require such person to successfully complete an online tobacco prevention education program administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services not later than thirty days after said commissioner's finding. Said commissioner shall assess any person who fails to complete such program a civil penalty of two hundred dollars. Said commissioner shall assess any person employed by a dealer or distributor a civil penalty of two hundred fifty dollars for a second or subsequent violation on or before twenty-four months after the date of the first violation. (b) If the Commissioner of Revenue Services finds, after a hearing, that any dealer or distributor has sold, given or delivered cigarettes or a tobacco product to a person under twenty-one years of age other than a person under twenty-one years of age who is delivering or accepting delivery in such person's capacity as an employee, or such dealer or distributor's employee has sold, given or delivered cigarettes or a tobacco product to such person, said commissioner shall require such dealer or distributor, for the first violation, to successfully complete an online tobacco prevention education program administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services not later than thirty days after said commissioner's finding. Said commissioner shall assess any dealer or distributor who fails to complete such program a civil penalty of three hundred dollars. Said commissioner shall assess any dealer or distributor a civil penalty of seven hundred fifty dollars for a second violation on or before twenty-four months after the date of the first violation. For a third violation on or before twenty-four months after the date of the first violation, said commissioner shall assess such dealer or distributor a civil penalty of one thousand dollars and suspend any license held by such dealer or distributor under this chapter for not less than thirty days. For a fourth violation on or before twenty-four months after the date of the first violation, said commissioner shall assess such dealer or distributor a civil penalty of one thousand dollars and revoke any license issued to such dealer or distributor under this chapter. Said commissioner shall order such distributor or dealer to conspicuously post a notice in a public place within such distributor's or dealer's establishment stating that cigarettes and tobacco products cannot be sold during the period of such suspension or revocation and the reasons for such suspension or revocation. Any sale of cigarettes or a tobacco product by such dealer or distributor during such suspension or revocation shall be deemed an additional violation of this subsection. (c) If the Commissioner of Revenue Services finds, after a hearing, that any owner of an establishment in which a cigarette vending machine or restricted cigarette vending machine is located has sold, given or delivered cigarettes or tobacco products from any such machine to a person under twenty-one years of age other than a person under twenty-one years of age who is delivering or accepting delivery in such person's capacity as an employee, or has allowed cigarettes or tobacco products to be sold, given or delivered to such person from any such machine, said commissioner shall require such owner, for the first violation, to successfully complete an online tobacco prevention education program administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services not later than thirty days after said commissioner's finding. Said commissioner shall assess any owner who fails to complete such program a civil penalty of five hundred dollars. Said commissioner shall assess any owner a civil penalty of seven hundred fifty dollars for a second violation on or before twenty-four months after the date of the first violation. For a third violation on or before twenty-four months after the date of the first violation, said commissioner shall assess such owner a civil penalty of one thousand dollars and immediately remove any such machine from such establishment and no such machine may be placed in such establishment for a period of one year following such removal. (d) Any person aggrieved by any action of the commissioner pursuant to this section may take any appeal of such action as provided in sections 12-311 and 12-312. (P.A. 96-240, S. 6, 10; P.A. 07-175, S. 1; P.A. 14-76, S. 2; P.A. 19-13, S. 7.) History: P.A. 96-240 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 07-175 raised amounts of civil penalties in Subsecs. (a) to (d) and made technical changes in Subsec. (d); P.A. 14-76 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re offense within 24 months after first violation, substantially amended civil penalty provisions in Subsecs. (b) to (d), including adding provisions re online tobacco prevention education program, and made technical changes; P.A. 19-13 deleted former Subsec. (a), redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) to (e) as new Subsecs. (a) to (d), amended redesignated Subsec. (a) by making technical changes and replacing “minor” with “person under twenty-one years of age”, amended redesignated Subsec. (b) by making technical changes, replacing “minor” with “person under twenty-one years of age”, increasing civil penalty for third violation from $750 to $1,000, and adding a penalty and notice requirements for a fourth violation and amended redesignated Subsec. (c) by making technical changes, replacing redesignated “minor” with “person under twenty-one years of age” and increasing civil penalty for a third violation from $750 to $1,000.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-296 Imposition of tax.

12-296. Imposition of tax. A tax is imposed on all cigarettes held in this state by any person for sale, such tax to be at the rate of two hundred seventeen and one-half mills for each cigarette and the payment thereof shall be for the account of the purchaser or consumer of such cigarettes and shall be evidenced by the affixing of stamps to the packages containing the cigarettes as provided in this chapter. Any tax imposed under this chapter shall be reduced by fifty per cent for any product the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services determines to be a modified risk tobacco product pursuant to 21 USC 387k, as amended from time to time. (1949 Rev., S. 1979; 1955, S. 1128d; November, 1955, S. N136; 1957, P.A. 582, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 578, S. 12; 604, S. 6; 1963, P.A. 651, S. 3; February, 1965, P.A. 326, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 608, S. 1; June, 1969, P.A. 1, S. 44; June, 1971, P.A. 5, S. 114; 8, S. 25; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-1, S. 2, 15; P.A. 89-16, S. 4, 31; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-3, S. 131, 168; P.A. 93-74, S. 13, 14, 67; P.A. 02-1, S. 1; P.A. 03-2, S. 29; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1, S. 124; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 104; P.A. 11-6, S. 80; P.A. 15-244, S. 176, 179; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 628.) History: 1961 acts increased rate, decreased allocation to soldiers, sailors and marines fund from 1/6 to 1/10 of proceeds, and changed fund's upper limit to a market value of $30,000,000; 1963 act further increased rate and deleted provision for allocating any of the proceeds to said fund; 1965 act increased tax rate from 3 to 4 mills per cigarette; 1969 acts temporarily increased rate to 7.25 mills per cigarette from July 1, 1969, to June 30, 1971, and further increased temporary rate to 8 mills; 1971 acts extended closing date for higher rate to June 30, 1973, and then permanently increased rate to 10.5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-1 increased the rate of tax to 13 mills for each cigarette; P.A. 89-16 increased the rate of tax to 20 mills for each cigarette, effective March 23, 1989, and applicable to cigarettes held for sale on or after April 1, 1989; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-3 increased the rate of tax to 22.5 mills for each cigarette, effective August 22, 1991, and applicable to cigarettes held for sale on or after October 1, 1991; P.A. 93-74, S. 13, increased the rate of tax to 23.5 mills for each cigarette, effective May 19, 1993, and applicable to sales of cigarettes occurring on and after July 1, 1993, and P.A. 93-74, S. 14, increased the rate of tax to 25 mills for each cigarette, effective May 19, 1993, and applicable to sales of cigarettes occurring on and after July 1, 1994; P.A. 02-1 increased the rate of tax to 55.5 mills for each cigarette, effective April 3, 2002; P.A. 03-2 changed rate to 75.5 mills, effective February 28, 2003, and applicable to sales occurring on or after March 15, 2003; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1 increased rate of tax from 75.5 mills to 100 mills for each cigarette, effective July 1, 2007, and applicable to sales occurring on or after that date; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 increased rate of tax from 100 mills to 150 mills for each cigarette, effective September 9, 2009, and applicable to sales occurring on or after October 1, 2009; P.A. 11-6 increased rate of tax from 150 mills to 170 mills for each cigarette, effective July 1, 2011, and applicable to sales occurring on or after that date; P.A. 15-244 increased rate of tax from 170 to 182.5 mills for each cigarette, effective October 1, 2015, and applicable to sales occurring on or after that date, and further increased rate to 195 mills for each cigarette, effective July 1, 2016, and applicable to sales occurring on or after that date; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 increased rate of tax from 195 mills to 217.5 mills and added provision re 50 per cent reduction in rate of tax for modified risk tobacco products, effective December 1, 2017, and applicable to sales occurring on or after December 1, 2017.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-296a Additional tax imposed in direct relationship to amount of any reduction in federal tax below a certain level.

12-296a. Additional tax imposed in direct relationship to amount of any reduction in federal tax below a certain level. In addition to the tax imposed pursuant to section 12-296, if the tax imposed by the federal government on cigarettes manufactured in or imported into the United States ever falls below eight dollars per thousand, generally, on cigarettes weighing not more than three pounds per thousand or sixteen dollars and eighty cents per thousand, generally, on cigarettes weighing more than three pounds per thousand, a tax is imposed on all cigarettes held in the state by any person for sale equal to the difference between: (1) The tax imposed on such cigarettes by the federal government at or prior to the time such cigarettes become subject to taxation in this state; and (2) the tax which would have been imposed on such cigarettes by the federal government if the rate of tax on cigarettes by the federal government at the time a tax was imposed on such cigarettes by the federal government was equal to the rate of tax on such cigarettes by the federal government on July 1, 1985. (P.A. 85-600, S. 3, 4.)

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-297 Exemptions from tax.

12-297. Exemptions from tax. The tax imposed under the provisions of section 12-296 shall not apply: (1) To cigarettes sold to any state institution other than a correctional institution for distribution to patients or inmates, or to cigarettes purchased with revolving funds under the jurisdiction of any state institution other than a correctional institution, when the cigarettes purchased are to be consumed by patients or inmates confined at such institution; or (2) to the extent prohibited by federal law, to cigarettes sold to United States veterans' hospitals or to members of the armed forces of the United States through officially recognized agencies, established pursuant to regulations issued by the appropriate branch of the United States Armed Forces, that are physically located at military bases. (1949, S. 1126d; P.A. 89-16, S. 28, 31; P.A. 17-147, S. 29.) History: P.A. 89-16 provided for exclusion of correctional institutions from state institutions eligible for exemption from cigarette tax on cigarettes for distribution to patients or inmates; P.A. 17-147 designated existing provisions re cigarettes sold to state institution or purchased with funds under jurisdiction of state institution as Subdiv. (1) and added Subdiv. (2) re cigarettes sold to United States veterans' hospitals or members of armed forces through officially recognized agencies, effective July 7, 2017.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-298 Commissioner to supply stamps or decals.

12-298. Commissioner to supply stamps or decals. The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall secure stamps or heat-applied decals, of such design and denomination as he prescribes, suitable to be affixed to packages of cigarettes as evidence of the payment of the tax imposed by this chapter. He shall sell such stamps or decals (a) to licensed distributors to be affixed to packages of cigarettes to be sold on or after September 1, 1971, at a discount of one per cent from their face value and (b) to licensed dealers at their face value. The commissioner may, in his discretion, permit a licensed distributor or licensed dealer to pay for such stamps or decals within thirty days after the date of purchase, provided a bond or other security satisfactory to the commissioner in an amount not less than the sale price of such stamps or decals shall have been filed with the commissioner conditioned upon payment for such stamps or decals. The bond or other security shall be in full force and effect for a period of three years and one month following the expiration of the license or such other period as the commissioner may determine, unless a certificate is issued by the commissioner to the effect that all taxes due the state have been paid. He shall keep accurate records of all stamps or decals sold to each distributor and dealer and shall pay over all receipts from the sale of stamps or decals to the State Treasurer daily as herein provided. (1949 Rev., S. 1980; November, 1955, S. N137; 1961, P.A. 604, S. 7; 1963, P.A. 651, S. 4; February, 1965, P.A. 326, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 608, S. 2; June, 1969, P.A. 1, S. 45; June, 1971, P.A. 5, S. 115; 8, S. 26; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 91-231, S. 1; P.A. 93-15, S. 6, 9.) History: 1961 and 1963 acts reduced discount on sale of stamps; 1965 act substituted “'(Specified) Permit' or ‘Specified Permits’” for “'Beer Permit'”; 1969 acts reduced discount on stamps from 2.7% to 2.25% of face value applicable to cigarettes to be sold before July 1, 1969, and after July 1, 1971, and set interim discount at 1.3% and further changed interim discount to 1.125%; 1971 acts changed closing date for interim rate to July 1, 1973, and later reduced discount permanently to 1% effective with respect to cigarettes to be sold on or after September 1, 1971; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 91-231 provided for the acceptance of security other than bonds by the commissioner; P.A. 93-15 authorized use of heat applied decals to evidence payment of cigarette tax and added provision extending bond for a period of three years and one month beyond expiration of license, effective July 1, 1993.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-300 Resale of stamps restricted. Redemption.

12-300. Resale of stamps restricted. Redemption. No distributor or dealer shall sell or transfer any stamps issued under the provisions of this chapter, provided the commissioner may, at his discretion, authorize distributors to sell stamps for the purposes of facilitating a tax increase program. The commissioner shall redeem any unused stamps presented by any licensed distributor or licensed dealer at a price equal to the amount paid for such stamps by such dealer or distributor. The commissioner shall, upon proof satisfactory to him and in accordance with regulations promulgated by him, redeem any stamp affixed to any package of cigarettes which has become unfit for use and consumption or unsalable. (1949 Rev., S. 1982; 1963, P.A. 108.) History: 1963 act allowed commissioner to authorize distributors to sell stamps to facilitate a tax increase program.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-301 Nonresidents may be authorized to affix stamps.

12-301. Nonresidents may be authorized to affix stamps. When the Commissioner of Revenue Services finds that the collection of the tax imposed by this chapter would be facilitated thereby, he may, in his discretion, authorize any person resident or located outside this state engaged in the business of manufacturing cigarettes, or any person resident or located outside this state who ships cigarettes into this state for sale to dealers in this state, and who qualifies as a distributor, but need not have a place of business in this state, upon complying with the requirements of the commissioner, to affix, or cause to be affixed, the stamps required by this chapter on behalf of the purchasers of such cigarettes who would otherwise be taxable therefor, and the commissioner may sell such stamps to such person as provided in section 12-298, or authorize the use of a machine by such person as provided in section 12-299. The commissioner shall require a bond or other security of such nonresident person, satisfactory to the commissioner, in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars, conditioned upon the payment of the tax and compliance with such other requirements as the commissioner may specify. Such bond shall be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in the state and shall be in full force and effect for a period of three years and one month following the expiration of the bond or such other period as the commissioner may determine, unless a certificate is issued by the commissioner to the effect that all taxes due the state have been paid. Such nonresident person shall agree to submit his books, accounts and records to examination during reasonable business hours by the commissioner or his authorized agent. Each such nonresident person, other than a foreign corporation which has complied with the provisions of section 33-922, shall, in writing, appoint the Secretary of the State and his successors in office to be his attorney, such appointment to be made, acknowledged and filed in the manner prescribed in said section 33-922. Service upon said attorney shall be sufficient service upon any such nonresident person, whether a foreign corporation which has complied with the provisions of said section 33-922 or not, and may be made by leaving a duly attested copy of the process with the Secretary of the State or at his office. When legal process against any such nonresident person is served upon the Secretary of the State, he shall notify such nonresident person in the manner specified in section 33-929 and shall collect the fee specified therein. Any person complying with the provisions of this section shall thereupon become a licensed distributor within the meaning of this chapter and shall be subject to all provisions of this chapter applicable to licensed distributors, except as otherwise ruled by the commissioner. (1949 Rev., S. 1983; 1963, P.A. 642, S. 9; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 91-231, S. 3; P.A. 96-271, S. 158, 254.) History: 1963 act corrected obsolete references to the corporation law; P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 91-231 provided for the acceptance of security other than bonds by the commissioner and increased the effective period of such security to three years and one month, deleting prior provision re acceptance of cash in lieu of bonds; P.A. 96-271 replaced references to Sec. 33-400 with Sec. 33-922 and reference to Sec. 33-411 with Sec. 33-929, effective January 1, 1997.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-302 Distributors to affix stamps.

12-302. Distributors to affix stamps. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, each distributor shall affix, or cause to be affixed, at the location for which such distributor's license is issued, in such manner as the commissioner may specify in regulations issued pursuant to this chapter, to each individual package of cigarettes sold or distributed by the distributor, stamps of the proper denomination, as required by section 12-296. Such stamps may be affixed by a distributor at any time before the cigarettes are transferred out of the distributor's possession. (b) No distributor shall affix, or cause to be affixed, to a package of cigarettes sold or distributed by such distributor, stamps, if the package (1) is not labeled in conformity with the requirements of the federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, 79 Stat. 282, 15 USC 1331 et seq., or any other federal requirement for the placement of labels, warnings and other information, applicable to packages of cigarettes that are intended to be sold within the United States; (2) bears any label or notice prescribed by the United States Department of Treasury to identify cigarettes intended for export and exempt from tax by the United States pursuant to 26 USC 5704(b), including “For export only”, “U.S. Tax-exempt”, “For use outside U.S.” or similar wording indicating that the manufacturer did not intend that the product be sold within the United States, including any notice or label described in 27 CFR 290.185; (3) has been imported into the United States after January 1, 2000, in violation of 26 USC 5754 or regulations adopted thereunder; (4) in any way violates federal trademark or copyright law or if all federal taxes due have not been paid on the cigarettes; (5) has been modified or altered by a person other than the manufacturer or person specifically authorized by the manufacturer, including modification or alteration by the placement of a sticker or label to cover information, including the wording, labels or warnings described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection, on the package; (6) is of a brand family or of a tobacco product manufacturer not included in the Connecticut Tobacco Directory maintained by the Commissioner of Revenue Services pursuant to section 4-28m; or (7) is of cigarettes not included in the Connecticut Fire Safe Cigarette Directory maintained by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to section 29-420. (1949 Rev., S. 1984; P.A. 99-109, S. 1, 8; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7, S. 102; P.A. 07-180, S. 7.) History: P.A. 99-109 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), making technical changes therein, and added Subsec. (b) to prohibit stamping of cigarettes produced and labeled for export only, effective July 1, 1999; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7 amended Subsec. (b) to disallow stamping of cigarette packages sold by manufacturers who are in violation of the escrow fund requirements of the interstate tobacco settlement and to authorize the publication of the names of such violators; P.A. 07-180 amended Subsec. (b) to delete former Subdiv. (6) re violation of Sec. 4-28i(a)(2) or 4-28j and add new Subdivs. (6) re brand family or manufacturer not included in Connecticut Tobacco Directory and (7) re cigarettes not included in Connecticut Fire Safe Cigarette Directory, effective July 1, 2008.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-303 Dealers to affix stamps.

12-303. Dealers to affix stamps. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, each dealer shall, within twenty-four hours after coming into possession of any cigarettes not bearing proper stamps evidencing payment of the tax imposed by this chapter, and before selling such cigarettes, affix or cause to be affixed, at the location for which such dealer's license is issued, in such manner as the commissioner may specify in regulations issued pursuant to this chapter, to each individual package of cigarettes, stamps of the proper denomination, as required by section 12-296. (b) No dealer shall affix, or cause to be affixed, to a package of cigarettes sold or distributed by such dealer, stamps, if the package (1) is not labeled in conformity with the requirements of the federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, 79 Stat. 282, 15 USC 1331 et seq., or any other federal requirement for the placement of labels, warnings and other information, applicable to packages of cigarettes that are intended to be sold within the United States; (2) bears any label or notice prescribed by the United States Department of Treasury to identify cigarettes intended for export and exempt from tax by the United States pursuant to 26 USC 5704(b), including “For export only”, “U.S. Tax-exempt”, “For use outside U.S.” or similar wording indicating that the manufacturer did not intend that the product be sold within the United States, including any notice or label described in 27 CFR 290.185; (3) has been imported into the United States after January 1, 2000, in violation of 26 USC 5754 or regulations adopted thereunder; (4) in any way violates federal trademark or copyright law or if all federal taxes due have not been paid on the cigarettes; (5) has been modified or altered by a person other than the manufacturer or person specifically authorized by the manufacturer, including modification or alteration by the placement of a sticker or label to cover information, including the wording, labels or warnings described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection, on the package; (6) is of a brand family or of a tobacco product manufacturer not included in the Connecticut Tobacco Directory maintained by the Commissioner of Revenue Services pursuant to section 4-28m; or (7) is of cigarettes not included in the Connecticut Fire Safe Cigarette Directory maintained by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to section 29-420. (1949 Rev., S. 1985; P.A. 99-109, S. 2, 8; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7, S. 103; P.A. 07-180, S. 8.) History: P.A. 99-109 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), making technical changes therein, and added Subsec. (b) to prohibit stamping of cigarettes produced and labeled for export only, effective July 1, 1999; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7 amended Subsec. (b) to disallow stamping of cigarette packages sold by manufacturers who are in violation of the escrow fund requirements of the interstate tobacco settlement and to authorize the publication of the names of such violators; P.A. 07-180 amended Subsec. (b) to delete former Subdiv. (6) re violation of Sec. 4-28i(a)(2) or 4-28j and add new Subdivs. (6) re brand family or manufacturer not included in Connecticut Tobacco Directory and (7) re cigarettes not included in Connecticut Fire Safe Cigarette Directory, effective July 1, 2008.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-304 Sale of unstamped cigarettes prohibited. Penalty.

12-304. Sale of unstamped cigarettes prohibited. Penalty. (a)(1) No person shall sell, offer for sale, display for sale, transport for sale or possess with intent to sell, any cigarettes (A) which do not bear stamps evidencing the payment of the tax imposed by this chapter, or (B) the stamping of which is prohibited by subsection (b) of section 12-302 or subsection (b) of section 12-303, provided a licensed dealer may keep on hand, at the location for which such dealer's license is issued, unstamped cigarettes, other than cigarettes, the stamping of which is prohibited by subsection (b) of section 12-303, for a period not exceeding twenty-four hours. Any unstamped cigarettes in the possession of a licensed dealer shall be presumed to have been held by such dealer for more than twenty-four hours unless proof is shown to the contrary. (2) Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, any person who knowingly violates any provision of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be subject to the following penalties: (A) If the violation involves one thousand or fewer unstamped cigarettes, such person shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both; (B) if the violation involves more than one thousand but fewer than twenty thousand unstamped cigarettes, such person shall be fined not more than one dollar per cigarette or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both; and (C) if the violation involves twenty thousand or more unstamped cigarettes, such person shall be fined not more than one dollar fifty cents per cigarette or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both. (3) Any licensed dealer who knowingly violates any provision of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be fined three hundred fifty dollars, provided (A) the quantity of unstamped cigarettes in the possession of such dealer does not exceed one thousand cigarettes, and (B) it is such dealer's first violation of the provisions of this subsection. (b) Any person, whether or not previously convicted of a violation of any provision of this section, who wilfully attempts to evade the taxes imposed by this chapter or the payment thereof on twenty thousand or more cigarettes, shall be guilty of a class C felony. (1949 Rev., S. 1986; 1967, P.A. 788, S. 8; P.A. 75-275, S. 1, 2; P.A. 88-314, S. 16, 54; P.A. 99-109, S. 3, 8; P.A. 11-61, S. 63; P.A. 13-258, S. 45; P.A. 18-25, S. 3.) History: 1967 act imposed minimum fine of $100 for first offense; P.A. 75-275 increased fines for first offense to minimum of $250 and maximum of $1,000 (up from $500) and for subsequent offenses increased minimum fine from $200 to $500 and maximum fine from $2,000 fine to fine and/or one year's imprisonment and added Subsec. (b) re offenses involving 20,000 or more cigarettes; P.A. 88-314 amended the penalty provision for violation of any requirement of this section and added the provision that the violation must occur with knowledge, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; P.A. 99-109 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to add provisions re cigarettes the stamping of which is prohibited by Sec. 12-302 or 12-303 and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 11-61 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provisions re sale of unstamped cigarettes as Subdiv. (1) and penalty for violation thereof as Subdiv. (2), adding Subdiv. (3) re penalty for licensed dealer's first violation that does not involve more than 600 cigarettes, and making technical changes, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-258 amended Subsec. (b) to change penalty from fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not less than 1 year or more than 5 years to a class D felony; P.A. 18-25 amended Subsec. (a) to delete “distributor shall sell, and no other”, add reference to transport for sale and make a technical change in Subdiv. (1), substantially revise provision re penalty for knowing violation, based on number of unstamped cigarettes including adding Subparas. (A) to (C) re violations in Subdiv. (2), and to increase penalty for first violation by licensed dealer from $90 to $350, increase threshold of unstamped cigarettes in dealer's possession from 600 to 1,000, and make a conforming change in Subdiv. (3), and amended Subsec. (b) to delete Subdiv. designators, delete provisions re 20,000 or more unstamped cigarettes, and change penalty from class D felony to class C felony, effective July 1, 2018.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-305 Unstamped cigarettes, vehicles in which transported, subject to confiscation.

12-305. Unstamped cigarettes, vehicles in which transported, subject to confiscation. All (1) unstamped cigarettes upon which taxes are imposed by this chapter, or which are in the course of transport within this state and are not properly supported by invoice or delivery tickets as required by section 12-306a, and (2) cigarettes, the stamping of which is prohibited by subsection (b) of section 12-302 or subsection (b) of section 12-303, which are in the possession, custody or control of any person for the purpose of being consumed, sold or transported in this state, for the purpose of evading or violating the provisions of this chapter, or with intent to avoid payment of the tax imposed hereunder, and any automobile, truck, conveyance or other vehicle used in the transportation of such cigarettes, and all paraphernalia, equipment or other tangible personal property, incident to the use of such purposes, found in the place, building, vehicle or vehicles where such cigarettes are found, are declared to be contraband goods; and any house, building or other premises and any vehicle or other conveyance suspected of containing such contraband goods may be searched under due process of law; and any such contraband goods may be seized by the commissioner, agents or employees of the commissioner, or by any peace officer of this state when directed by the commissioner to do so, without a warrant, provided nothing in this section shall be construed to require the commissioner to confiscate unstamped cigarettes or property when the commissioner has reason to believe that the owner thereof is not wilfully or intentionally evading the tax imposed by this chapter. Any property seized under the provisions of this chapter may, at the commissioner's discretion and except as otherwise provided by this section, be offered by the commissioner for sale at public auction to the highest bidder after advertisement, as provided in section 12-307, or the commissioner may dispose of such property in a manner which the commissioner deems to be in the best interest of the state. The commissioner shall deliver to the State Treasurer the proceeds of any sale made under the provisions of this section. Before delivering any cigarettes so sold to the purchaser, the commissioner shall require such purchaser to affix to the packages the amount of stamps required by this chapter. The seizure and sale of any cigarettes or other property under the provisions of this section shall not relieve any person from a fine or other penalty for violation of this chapter. Any sale of cigarettes by the commissioner, the stamping of which is prohibited by subsection (b) of section 12-302 or subsection (b) of section 12-303, may only be made to the manufacturer and solely for purpose of export. (1949 Rev., S. 1987; 1957, P.A. 524, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 788, S. 9; P.A. 99-109, S. 4, 8; P.A. 00-230, S. 4.) History: 1967 act authorized commissioner to dispose of property in manner he deems will best serve interest of state; Effect of P.A. 77-614 was to make “commissioner” refer to commissioner of revenue services rather than tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 99-109 added provisions re cigarettes the stamping of which is prohibited by Sec. 12-302 or 12-303 and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 00-230 made a technical change.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-306a Cigarette transporter to hold invoices or delivery tickets.

12-306a. Cigarette transporter to hold invoices or delivery tickets. Every person who transports cigarettes not bearing Connecticut cigarette stamps upon the public highways, roads or streets of this state shall have in such person's actual possession invoices or delivery tickets for such cigarettes, which shall show the true name and address of the consignor or seller, the true name and address of the consignee or purchaser, and the quantity and brands of the cigarettes so transported. If the cigarettes are consigned to or purchased by any person in Connecticut, such purchaser or consignee shall be authorized by this chapter to possess unstamped cigarettes in this state and the stamping of such cigarettes shall not be prohibited by subsection (b) of section 12-302 or subsection (b) of section 12-303. If the invoices or delivery tickets specify that the cigarettes are to be delivered to any person in any other state or jurisdiction such person shall be authorized by the laws of such other state or jurisdiction to receive or possess cigarettes on which the taxes imposed by such other state or jurisdiction have not been paid and the stamping of such cigarettes shall not be prohibited by the laws of such other state or jurisdiction. In the absence of such invoices or delivery tickets, or, if the name or address of the consignee or purchaser is falsified or if the purchaser or consignee is not authorized to possess unstamped cigarettes, the cigarettes so transported shall be deemed contraband and shall be subject to confiscation. Any transporter who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both, and in addition shall be liable for the tax, interest and penalty as provided in this chapter. (1967, P.A. 788, S. 11; P.A. 88-314, S. 17, 54; P.A. 99-109, S. 5, 8.) History: P.A. 88-314 amended the fine applicable to any transporter who violates any provision of this section to provide for a fine of not more than $1,000 in lieu of not more than $25 for each carton of cigarettes transported, retaining the imprisonment provision in the penalty without change, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; P.A. 99-109 added provisions re cigarettes the stamping of which is prohibited by Sec. 12-302 or 12-303 and made a technical change, effective July 1, 1999.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-306b Penalty for wilful failure to submit a required report or pay the tax, or for wilful delivery of a document known to be false.

12-306b. Penalty for wilful failure to submit a required report or pay the tax, or for wilful delivery of a document known to be false. (a) Any person required under this chapter to pay any tax, or required under this chapter or by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of section 12-313 to make a report, keep any records or supply any information, who wilfully fails to pay such tax, make such report, keep such records, or supply such information, at the time required by law or regulations, shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 54-193, no person shall be prosecuted for a violation of the provisions of this subsection committed on or after July 1, 1997, except within three years next after such violation has been committed. As used in this section, person includes any officer or employee of a corporation or a member or employee of a partnership under a duty to pay such tax, to make such report, keep such records or supply such information. (b) Any person who wilfully delivers or discloses to the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agent any list, report, account, statement, or other document, known by such person to be fraudulent or false in any material matter, shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, be guilty of a class C felony. No person shall be charged with an offense under both subsections (a) and (b) of this section in relation to the same tax period but such person may be charged and prosecuted for both such offenses upon the same information. (1967, P.A. 788, S. 12; P.A. 88-314, S. 18, 54; P.A. 97-203, S. 4, 20; P.A. 04-201, S. 9; P.A. 13-258, S. 46; P.A. 18-25, S. 4.) History: P.A. 88-314 deleted the fine applicable to any false entry on an invoice or record, providing in lieu thereof for a fine or imprisonment applicable to any wilful failure to pay the tax or make a report at the time required or any wilful delivery of a report or other document known to be false in any material matter, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; P.A. 97-203 amended Subsec. (a) to extend to three years the time within which persons wilfully failing to file tax returns or pay taxes may be criminally prosecuted, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 04-201 deleted reference to Sec. 12-293a in Subsec. (a), effective June 3, 2004; P.A. 13-258 amended Subsec. (b) to change penalty from fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 5 years or less than 1 year to a class D felony; P.A. 18-25 amended Subsec. (b) to change penalty from class D felony to class C felony and make technical changes, effective July 1, 2018.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-307 Procedure on sale after confiscation.

12-307. Procedure on sale after confiscation. (a) When any property has been seized under the provisions of section 12-305, the commissioner may, at his discretion, after a hearing as provided in this section, advertise such property for sale in a newspaper published or having a circulation in the town in which the seizure took place, at least five days before the sale. (b) Any person claiming an interest in such property may make written application to the commissioner for a hearing within thirty days after the date of such seizure, stating his interest in the property and his reasons why it should not be forfeited. Upon receipt of such application, the commissioner shall, within thirty days, assign a date for such hearing and give written notice as to the time thereof to any person or persons making such application. At such hearing, the commissioner shall determine whether such cigarettes should be forfeited and written notice of such determination shall be forwarded to each applicant claiming to have an interest in such cigarettes. (c) Any person aggrieved by any such determination may appeal therefrom to the superior court for the judicial district of New Britain, as provided in section 12-312. (d) No sale of any property under the provisions of section 12-305 shall be made while an application for a hearing is pending before the commissioner, but the pendency of an appeal under the provisions of section 12-312 shall not prevent the sale unless the appellant posts a satisfactory bond, with surety, in an amount double the estimated value of the property, conditioned upon the successful termination of the appeal. (e) When any such sale has been consummated, the proceeds thereof shall become the property of the state, provided any person who has an interest in such property shall have the same rights with respect to the proceeds of such sale as such person had in relation to such property prior to sale. (1949 Rev., S. 1988; 1957, P.A. 524, S. 3; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-65, S. 1, 3; 95-220, S. 4–6; P.A. 99-215, S. 24, 29.) History: P.A. 95-65 divided the section into Subsecs. (a) to (e), added provision in Subsec. (b) re the commissioner's responsibilities when unstamped cigarettes are seized, added provision as Subsec. (c) re appeals to the Superior Court and added provisions as Subsec. (e) establishing a time for a person whose cigarettes are seized to apply for a hearing, effective July 1, 1995 (Revisor's note: P.A. 88-230, 90-98, 93-142 and 95-220 authorized substitution of “judicial district of Hartford” for “judicial district of Hartford-New Britain” in 1995 public and special acts, effective September 1, 1998); P.A. 99-215 replaced “judicial district of Hartford” with “judicial district of New Britain” in Subsec. (c), effective June 29, 1999.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-308 Fraudulent stamps.

12-308. Fraudulent stamps. Any person who fraudulently makes or utters or forges or counterfeits any stamp prescribed by the Commissioner of Revenue Services under the provisions of this chapter, or who causes or procures the same to be done, or who wilfully utters, publishes, passes or renders as true any false, altered, forged or counterfeited stamp, or who knowingly possesses any such false, altered, forged or counterfeited stamp, or who uses more than once any stamp provided for and required by this chapter, for the purpose of evading the tax hereby imposed, or who tampers with or causes to be tampered with any metering machine authorized to be used under the provisions of this chapter, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years nor less than one year or both. (1949 Rev., S. 1989; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 88-314, S. 19, 54.) History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 88-314 deleted statement in which a person is deemed guilty of a felony for any fraudulent act related to cigarette tax stamps and substituted in lieu thereof a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for more than five years or less than one year, or both fine and imprisonment, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-309 Taxpayers to keep records; commissioner may examine. Assessment of tax deficiency. Penalty and interest for failure to pay tax when due. Lien against real estate for state tax. Foreclosure procedure.

12-309. Taxpayers to keep records; commissioner may examine. Assessment of tax deficiency. Penalty and interest for failure to pay tax when due. Lien against real estate for state tax. Foreclosure procedure. (a)(1) Each distributor and each dealer shall keep complete and accurate records of all cigarettes manufactured, produced, purchased and sold. Such records shall be of such kind and in such form as the Commissioner of Revenue Services may prescribe and shall be safely preserved for three years in such manner as to ensure permanency and accessibility for inspection by the commissioner and the commissioner's authorized agents. The commissioner and the commissioner's authorized agents may examine the books, papers and records of any distributor or dealer in this state for the purpose of determining whether the tax imposed by this chapter has been fully paid, and may investigate and examine the stock of cigarettes in or upon any premises where such cigarettes are possessed, stored or sold for the purpose of determining whether the provisions of this chapter are being obeyed. (2) If, after an examination of the invoices, books and records of a licensed distributor or dealer, or if, from any other information obtained by the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agents, the commissioner determines that the report of any licensed distributor or licensed dealer is incorrect, and that the licensed distributor or licensed dealer has not purchased sufficient stamps to cover such distributor's or dealer's receipts and sales or other disposition of unstamped cigarettes, the commissioner shall thereupon assess the deficiency in tax. Such amount shall bear interest at the rate of one per cent per month or fraction thereof from the date when the original tax was due and payable. In any case where a licensed distributor or licensed dealer cannot produce evidence of sufficient stamp purchases to cover the receipt of unstamped cigarettes, it shall be presumed that such cigarettes were sold without having the proper stamps affixed. (3) When it appears that any part of the deficiency for which a deficiency assessment is made is due to negligence or intentional disregard of the provisions of this chapter or regulations promulgated thereunder, there shall be imposed a penalty equal to ten per cent of the amount of such deficiency assessment, or fifty dollars, whichever is greater. When it appears that any part of the deficiency for which a deficiency assessment is made is due to fraud or intent to evade the provisions of this chapter or regulations promulgated thereunder, there shall be imposed a penalty equal to twenty-five per cent of the amount of such deficiency assessment. No taxpayer shall be subject to more than one penalty under this subsection in relation to the same tax period. (4) The amount of any tax, penalty or interest due and unpaid under the provisions of this chapter may be collected under the provisions of section 12-35. The warrant therein provided for shall be signed by the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agent. The amount of any such tax, penalty and interest shall be a lien, from the last day of the month next preceding the due date of such tax until discharged by payment, against all real estate of the taxpayer within the state, and a certificate of such lien signed by the commissioner may be filed for record in the office of the clerk of any town in which such real estate is situated, provided no such lien shall be effective as against any bona fide purchaser or qualified encumbrancer of any interest in any such property. When any tax with respect to which a lien has been recorded under the provisions of this section has been satisfied, the commissioner, upon request of any interested party, shall issue a certificate discharging such lien, which certificate shall be recorded in the same office in which the lien is recorded. Any action for the foreclosure of such lien shall be brought by the Attorney General in the name of the state in the superior court for the judicial district in which the property subject to such lien is situated, or, if such property is located in two or more judicial districts, in the superior court for any one such judicial district, and the court may limit the time for redemption or order the sale of such property or make such other or further decree as it judges equitable. (b) Except in the case of a wilfully false or fraudulent return with intent to evade the tax, no assessment of additional tax with respect to any return shall be made after the expiration of more than three years from the date of the filing of such return or from the original due date of such return, whichever is later. If no return has been filed as provided in this chapter, the commissioner may make such return at any time thereafter, according to the best information obtainable and according to the form prescribed. To the tax imposed upon the basis of such return, there shall be added an amount equal to ten per cent of such tax, or fifty dollars, whichever is greater. The tax shall bear interest at the rate of one per cent per month or fraction thereof from the due date of such tax to the date of payment. If prior to the expiration of the period prescribed in this section for the assessment of additional tax, a taxpayer has consented in writing that such period may be extended, the amount of such additional tax due may be determined at any time within such extended period. Any such extended period may be further extended by consent in writing before the expiration of such extended period. (1949 Rev., S. 1990; 1967, P.A. 788, S. 13; P.A. 76-322, S. 8, 27; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 78-245, S. 1, 2; 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 79-631, S. 43, 111; P.A. 80-307, S. 12, 31; P.A. 81-411, S. 20, 42; P.A. 82-172, S. 6, 14; P.A. 88-314, S. 20, 54; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4, S. 55, 85; P.A. 95-26, S. 10, 52; P.A. 95-160, S. 64, 69; P.A. 24-151, S. 98.) History: 1967 act added provisions for actions taken by commissioner when stamps bought are discovered to be insufficient to cover actual sales; P.A. 76-322 increased interest rate from 0.5% to 1% except if there was fraudulent intent where additional penalty interest remained at 0.5%; P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-245 increased penalty interest for fraudulent intent to 1% and added Subsec. (b) re three-year limit for assessment of additional tax; P.A. 79-631 made technical changes; P.A. 80-307 temporarily increased interest rates to 1.25% for taxes due on or after July 1, 1980, but not later than June 30, 1981; P.A. 81-411 continued interest on delinquent taxes under Subsec. (a) at 1.25% per month, effective July 1, 1981, and applicable to taxes becoming due on or after that date; P.A. 82-172 added provisions in Subsec. (a) re penalty of $50 if greater than 10% of the deficiency, with the 10% penalty continuing to be applicable if greater than $50, re waiver of penalties by the commissioner for failure to file report on time under certain conditions, re collection of tax, penalty or interest under Sec. 12-35, re creation of lien against real estate of taxpayer and discharge thereof and re foreclosure procedure related to such lien; P.A. 88-314 amended Subsec. (a) in respect to the penalty applicable to a determined insufficiency of stamps purchased by a distributor or dealer in the form of a restatement of the penalty when the deficiency is due to negligence and additionally, when the deficiency is due to fraud or intent to evade the tax and amended Subsec. (b) to clarify the applicable procedure when a return has not been filed and the commissioner must make a return according to the best information available, effective July 1, 1988, and applicable to any tax which first becomes due and payable on or after said date, to any return or report due on or after said date, or in the case of any ongoing obligation imposed in accordance with said act, to the tax period next beginning on or after said date; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 in Subsec. (b) reduced interest rate from 1.25% to 1% and provided that such interest may only be applied on the tax rather than on the tax and any penalty, effective July 1, 1995, and applicable to taxes due and owing on or after said date; P.A. 95-26 amended Subsec. (a) to lower interest rate from 1.25% to 1%, effective July 1, 1995, and applicable to taxes due and owing on or after July 1, 1995, whether or not those taxes first became due before said date; P.A. 95-160 revised effective date of May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-4 but without affecting this section; P.A. 24-151 amended Subsec. (a) to add Subdiv. designators (1) to (4) and make technical changes.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-309a Reports from carriers, warehousemen, bailees. Examination of records.

12-309a. Reports from carriers, warehousemen, bailees. Examination of records. The Commissioner of Revenue Services may, in his discretion, require reports from any common or contract carrier who transports cigarettes to any point or points within this state, and from any bonded warehouseman or bailee who has in his possession any cigarettes, such reports to contain such information concerning shipments of cigarettes as the Commissioner of Revenue Services shall determine to be necessary for the administration of this chapter. All common and contract carriers, bailees and warehousemen shall permit the examination by the Commissioner of Revenue Services or his authorized agent of any records relating to the shipment or receipt of cigarettes. (February, 1965, P.A. 27, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610.) History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-310 Oaths and subpoenas.

12-310. Oaths and subpoenas. The commissioner and any agent of the commissioner authorized to conduct any inquiry, investigation or hearing hereunder shall have power to administer oaths and take testimony under oath relative to the matter of inquiry or investigation. At any hearing ordered by the commissioner, the commissioner or his agent authorized to conduct such hearing and having authority by law to issue such process may subpoena witnesses and require the production of books, papers and documents pertinent to such inquiry. No witness under subpoena authorized to be issued by the provisions of this chapter shall be excused from testifying or from producing books or papers on the ground that such testimony or the production of such books or other documentary evidence would tend to incriminate him, but such evidence or the books or papers so produced shall not be used in any criminal proceeding against him. If any person disobeys such process or, having appeared in obedience thereto, refuses to answer any pertinent question put to him by the commissioner or his authorized agent or to produce any books and papers pursuant thereto, the commissioner or such agent may apply to the superior court of the judicial district wherein the taxpayer resides or wherein the business has been conducted, or to any judge of said court if the same is not in session, setting forth such disobedience to process or refusal to answer, and said court or such judge shall cite such person to appear before said court or such judge to answer such question or to produce such books and papers, and, upon his refusal so to do, shall commit him to a community correctional center until he testifies, but not for a longer period than sixty days. Notwithstanding the serving of the term of such commitment by any person, the commissioner may proceed in all respects with such inquiry and examination as if the witness had not previously been called upon to testify. Officers who serve subpoenas issued by the commissioner or under his authority and witnesses attending hearings conducted by him hereunder shall receive fees and compensation at the same rates as officers and witnesses in the courts of this state, to be paid on vouchers of the commissioner on order of the Comptroller from the proper appropriation for the administration of this chapter. (1949 Rev., S. 1991; 1969, P.A. 297; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127.) History: 1969 act substituted “community correctional center” for “jail”; P.A. 78-280 substituted “judicial district” for “county”.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-311 Hearings by commissioner.

12-311. Hearings by commissioner. Any person aggrieved by any action under this chapter of the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agent, for which hearing is not elsewhere provided, may apply to the commissioner for a hearing, in writing, not later than sixty days after the notice of such action is delivered or mailed to such person, setting forth the reasons why such hearing should be granted and the manner of relief sought. The commissioner shall promptly consider each such application and may grant or deny the hearing requested. If the hearing is denied, the applicant shall be notified thereof forthwith; if it is granted, the commissioner shall notify the applicant of the time and place fixed for such hearing. After such hearing, the commissioner may make such order in the premises as appears to the commissioner just and lawful and shall furnish a copy of such order to the applicant. The commissioner may, by notice in writing, at any time, order a hearing on the commissioner's own initiative and require the taxpayer or any other individual whom the commissioner believes to be in possession of information concerning any manufacture, importation or sale of cigarettes that have escaped taxation to appear before the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agent with any specific books of account, papers or other documents, for examination relative thereto. (1949 Rev., S. 1992; P.A. 82-62, S. 2; P.A. 91-236, S. 4, 25; P.A. 24-151, S. 99.) History: P.A. 82-62 increased from 10 days to 30 days the period within which a taxpayer may apply for administrative hearing following mailing of notice concerning findings of the commissioner; P.A. 91-236 provided for 60, rather than 30, days to request a hearing, effective July 1, 1991, and applicable to taxes due on or after that date; P.A. 24-151 made technical changes.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-312 Appeals from decisions of commissioner.

12-312. Appeals from decisions of commissioner. Any person aggrieved because of any decision, order, determination or disallowance of the commissioner under the provisions of this chapter may, not later than thirty days after service upon such person of notice of such decision, order, determination or disallowance, appeal therefrom to the superior court for the judicial district of New Britain, which appeal shall be accompanied by a citation to the Commissioner of Revenue Services to appear before said court. Such citation shall be signed by the same authority, and such appeal shall be returnable at the same time and served and returned in the same manner, as is required in case of a summons in a civil action. The authority issuing the citation shall take from the appellant a bond or recognizance to the state of Connecticut, with surety to prosecute the appeal to effect and to comply with the orders and decrees of the court in the premises. Such appeals shall be preferred cases, to be heard, unless cause appears to the contrary, at the first session, by the court or by a committee appointed by it. Said court may grant such relief as may be equitable and, if such tax has been paid prior to the granting of such relief, may order the Treasurer to pay the amount of such relief, with interest at the rate of two-thirds of one per cent per month or fraction thereof, to the aggrieved taxpayer. If the appeal has been taken without probable cause, the court may tax double or triple costs, as the case demands; and, upon all such appeals which are denied, costs may be taxed against the appellant at the discretion of the court, but no costs shall be taxed against the state. (1949 Rev., S. 1993; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 6, 127; P.A. 84-492, S. 3, 8; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 89-343, S. 9, 17; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-26, S. 11, 52; 95-220, S. 4–6; P.A. 99-215, S. 24, 29; P.A. 19-186, S. 16.) History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 substituted judicial district of Hartford-New Britain for Hartford county; P.A. 84-492 authorized appeals of orders, determinations and disallowances of commissioner and included one-month period for appeals dated from service of notice; P.A. 88-230 replaced “judicial district of Hartford-New Britain” with “judicial district of Hartford”, effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 89-343 increased the rate of interest on the amount of relief ordered by the court from 6% to 9% per annum; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-26 lowered the interest rate from 9% per annum to 0.66% per month, effective July 1, 1995, and applicable to taxes due and owing on or after July 1, 1995, whether or not those taxes first became due before said date; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 99-215 replaced “judicial district of Hartford” with “judicial district of New Britain”, effective June 29, 1999; P.A. 19-186 replaced “within one month” with “not later than thirty days”, effective July 8, 2019.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-313 Administration. Regulations. Waiver of filing of reports.

12-313. Administration. Regulations. Waiver of filing of reports. The administration of this chapter is vested in the Commissioner of Revenue Services. All forms necessary and proper for the enforcement of this chapter shall be prescribed and furnished by the commissioner. The commissioner may require any agent, clerk, stenographer or other assistant to execute a bond in such sum as said commissioner determines for the faithful discharge of his duties. The commissioner may prescribe regulations and rulings, not inconsistent with law, to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter, which regulations and rulings, when reasonably designed to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter, shall be prima facie evidence of its proper interpretation. The commissioner shall, at least annually, and more often in his discretion, publish for distribution all regulations prescribed hereunder and such rulings as appear to him to be of general interest. The commissioner may, in his discretion, waive the requirements of filing reports when it appears to his satisfaction that the distributor is not engaged in handling unstamped cigarettes. (1949 Rev., S. 1994; 1949, S. 1129d; P.A. 77-614, S. 139, 610; P.A. 90-271, S. 7, 24.) History: P.A. 77-614 substituted commissioner of revenue services for tax commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 90-271 made a technical change.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-314 Packaging for sale. Penalties.

12-314. Packaging for sale. Penalties. (a)(1) The sale of cigarettes other than in an unopened package containing twenty or more cigarettes originating with the manufacturer that bears the health warning required by law is prohibited. Any cigarettes sold other than as specified under this subdivision shall be deemed contraband and shall be subject to confiscation. (2) If the Commissioner of Revenue Services finds, after a hearing, that any person has violated the provisions of this subsection, said commissioner may assess such person a civil penalty of one hundred fifty dollars for a first offense, five hundred dollars for a second offense and one thousand dollars for a third or subsequent offense. Such penalty may be in addition to any other penalty provided by law, including, but not limited to, the suspension or revocation, if such person is a licensed dealer or distributor, of such license pursuant to section 12-295. Any person aggrieved by any action of said commissioner pursuant to this subsection may take an appeal of such action as provided in sections 12-311 and 12-312. (b) The sale of cigarettes, the stamping of which is prohibited by subsection (b) of section 12-302 or subsection (b) of section 12-303, is prohibited. (1949 Rev., S. 1995; P.A. 96-240, S. 4, 10; P.A. 99-109, S. 6, 8; P.A. 00-56; 00-170, S. 22, 42; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 44, 85; P.A. 18-25, S. 5.) History: P.A. 96-240 added provision prohibiting sale of cigarettes other than in certain packaging and deleted a provision allowing certain sample packages to be given away, effective June 6, 1996; P.A. 99-109 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re cigarettes the stamping of which is prohibited by Sec. 12-302 or 12-303, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 00-56, effective October 1, 2000, and P.A. 00-170, effective July 1, 2000, and applicable to sales occurring on or after that date, both amended Subsec. (a) to require all sales to be in unopened packages of twenty or more cigarettes; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 amended Subsec. (a) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and add new Subdiv. (2) re civil penalty for violation of subsection, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 18-25 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re cigarettes deemed to be contraband subject to confiscation and make a technical change in Subdiv. (1), change “dealer or distributor” to “person”, increase penalties from $50 to $150 for first offense from $250 to $500 for second offense and from $500 to $1000 for third or subsequent offense, and to add reference to person licensed as dealer or distributor, and make conforming changes in Subdiv. (2), effective July 1, 2018.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-314a Certain promotional samples authorized.

12-314a. Certain promotional samples authorized. The Commissioner of Revenue Services may authorize a dealer or distributor to give or deliver a cigarette, as defined in section 12-285, or tobacco product, as defined in section 12-330a, in connection with the promotion or advertisement of such cigarette or tobacco product without receiving monetary consideration from the person receiving the cigarette or tobacco product, provided (1) such giving or delivery is on the premises of a licensed dealer, as defined in said section, or at any event or establishment with an area the access to which is limited to patrons twenty-one years of age or older, provided such giving or delivery is restricted to such area, (2) the sample of cigarettes, if applicable, contains no less than two cigarettes, (3) the taxes on such cigarettes have been previously paid, and (4) the giving or delivery of the sample is done in accordance with federal laws and regulations governing the giving or delivery of samples of cigarettes and tobacco products. The licensed dealer or distributor shall be liable for any gift or delivery of cigarettes or tobacco products to a person under twenty-one years of age on the premises by any person conducting a promotion or advertisement of such cigarette or tobacco product in accordance with this section. This section shall not apply to the gift or delivery of a cigarette package in connection with a sale of similar package of cigarettes. (P.A. 96-240, S. 5, 10; P.A. 19-13, S. 8.) History: P.A. 96-240 effective June 6, 1996; P.A. 19-13 replaced “distribution” with “giving or delivery”, deleted reference to Sec. 12-285, replaced “adult patrons” with “patrons twenty-one years of age or older”, added Subdiv. (4) re giving or delivery of sample in accordance with federal laws and regulations, replaced “minors” with “a person under twenty-one years of age”, and made technical changes.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-314b Penalty.

12-314b. Penalty. Any person who violates the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 12-314 shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars for the first offense, not more than three hundred dollars for the second offense within twenty-four months of the first offense, and not more than five hundred dollars for the third or subsequent offense within twenty-four months of the first offense. (P.A. 14-76, S. 3.)

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-315 Sale of unstamped cigarettes from one licensed distributor to another.

12-315. Sale of unstamped cigarettes from one licensed distributor to another. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of section 12-314, no provision of this chapter shall prohibit the sale of unstamped cigarettes by one licensed distributor to another licensed distributor. (1949 Rev., S. 1996; P.A. 99-109, S. 7, 8.) History: P.A. 99-109 added “except as otherwise provided” in Sec. 12-314(b), effective July 1, 1999.

Source: Connecticut General Assembly (cga.ct.gov)URL: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2026/sup/chap_214.htmFetched: 10/20/2026