I tossed the magazine, but I found this comment on it through Google:

If you hear in the news that a home robber falls down the stairs trying to flee, and sues the homeowner for breaking his leg .. how much sympathy do you have for the robber?
In this article, an 80 year old smoker ordered 5 cartons of cigarettes by phone, from an American Indian reservation in another state, paying half the price in her own area. She knew that the lower price was due to not having to pay tax in her own state. She later received a bill from her state's department of revenue for taxes & late payment fees. She said she was duped & felt it was an abuse of power.
First of all, smoking is a known health hazard, not only for the smoker but anyone else nearby. Second, this woman deliberately purchased something from another jurisdiction, to avoid paying tax on it.
I don't think AARP or its publications should be championing it as a "consumer issue", when people display high risk behavior (smoking), and complain because they got caught trying to avoid paying tax.

Here in California, if you purchase something from another state that doesn't charge tax to out-of-state purchasers, you are, by law, required to pay "use tax" on the item. The rate is the same as sales tax.

Well, I guess all of us who purchase anthing off the internet better be prepared to get a bill. I often buy things that way myself. Pretty good deal if you get free shipping AND no tax!

Patti43,
I was thinking the same thing myself. I prefer to buy from companies on the internet who do not have a business here in Texas because I then won't have to pay a sales tax in addition to shipping. So, in this regard, I am deliberately avoiding paying a sales tax and I don't feel the least bit criminal for doing so. Let's not confuse issues here. I see nothing wrong with trying to get a good deal on an item, any item, as long as that item is sold legally. Whether or not one approves of smoking is another issue altogether. And, no, I am not a smoker although I was in the distant past.

In many states if you buy off the internet you are required to report to the state. More states are changing the laws to collect tax. Did you realize that when professional athletes play in another state, they pay income taxes in the "away" site state? When I had the store and would build a computer for use in the store we had to file and pay sales tax on it.

I guess IMO getting upset about this, either way is kind of... well, going overboard. LOL Amusing story though. Trying to avoid death and taxes only lasts so long.