June 30, 2011
Dear Mr. Tannen,
Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to the Tobacco Tax Parity Act. It is important for me to have the benefit of your views, and I appreciate the time you have taken to contact me.
As you know, this legislation amends tax law to make the excise tax on pipe tobacco equal to the tax on roll-your-own tobacco. I understand your concerns that this bill would result in an increase in the tax rate per pound of pipe tobacco from the current $2.83 to $24.78, which is almost an 800 percent increase.
I also acknowledge your concern that such an increase would be harmful to the pipe tobacco industry and that pipe tobacco should therefore be treated for tax purposes as different category than roll-your-own tobacco.
The Tobacco Tax Parity Act has not been re-introduced in the current session of Congress. I do not intend to cosponsor the bill and will keep your views in mind if it is considered by the House of Representatives.
Thank you again for sharing your views and concerns. I encourage you to visit my website at www.timbishop.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter for more information and to find out about other important issues that I am working on in Congress. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Tim Bishop
Member of Congress
Dear Mr. Tannen,
Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to the Tobacco Tax Parity Act. It is important for me to have the benefit of your views, and I appreciate the time you have taken to contact me.
As you know, this legislation amends tax law to make the excise tax on pipe tobacco equal to the tax on roll-your-own tobacco. I understand your concerns that this bill would result in an increase in the tax rate per pound of pipe tobacco from the current $2.83 to $24.78, which is almost an 800 percent increase.
I also acknowledge your concern that such an increase would be harmful to the pipe tobacco industry and that pipe tobacco should therefore be treated for tax purposes as different category than roll-your-own tobacco.
The Tobacco Tax Parity Act has not been re-introduced in the current session of Congress. I do not intend to cosponsor the bill and will keep your views in mind if it is considered by the House of Representatives.
Thank you again for sharing your views and concerns. I encourage you to visit my website at www.timbishop.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter for more information and to find out about other important issues that I am working on in Congress. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Tim Bishop
Member of Congress
