Toilet paper tax rubs woman the wrong way

[WoodysGirl]

Nov. 30, 2007, 12:46PM
Toilet paper tax rubs woman the wrong way


Associated Press

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MONROEVILLE, Pa. — It wasn't quite a Boston Tea Party, but Mary Bach claimed victory for all citizens of Pennsylvania with a legal ruling on an item the state calls a nontaxable necessity: toilet paper.

Bach won $100 plus court costs after she sued Kmart for illegally collecting 28 cents tax on a 12-roll package of toilet paper.

Although most paper goods are taxed in Pennsylvania, toilet tissue is listed as a nontaxable necessity by the state Department of Revenue.

Kmart offered to settle the case out of court before a Thursday hearing in Western Pennsylvania, but Bach refused because it would have required her to sign a confidentiality agreement.

"I would lose my ability to spread that message if I were gagged," Bach said after the verdict by a Monroeville district judge.

Bach, of Murrysville, sued in October after a Kmart store in Monroeville twice collected a 7 percent tax on her $3.99 purchases.

Kmart, a unit of Sears Holdings Corp., said it will not appeal the verdict.

"We don't want to fight with our customers," Kmart spokeswoman Kim Freely said. "We apologize for the inconvenience and the problem is being corrected."

Bach said shoppers "need to look at every line" on sales receipts when they shop.

Bach brought the suit under the state's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. Plaintiffs can sue for the amount of the damages or $100, whichever is more.

"I want consumers as they shop during the important holiday to be aware of what is and what isn't taxable," Bach said.



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Most recent comments

Kitty2007 wrote:
Good for Ms. Bach!! We need more positive stories such as these.
12/1/2007 8:11 PM CST
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trav66 wrote:
what a crappy story
12/1/2007 8:06 PM CST
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MilwaukeeBroad wrote:
See, that's the problem with our tax system! You drive, you pay a tax; you shop, you pay a tax; you own property, you pay a tax; you work, you pay a tax. OK, I think by now many of us are accustomed to the aforementioned taxes, but I'll be DARNED IF I'M GONNA PAY A TAX TO WIPE MY...
12/1/2007 1:49 PM CST
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DonutMuncher wrote:
Hey, if Kmart didn't want to go to court, they should have waived the gag order on the settlement. They're just as responsible for this going to court as Ms. Bach. Good for her!
12/1/2007 1:39 PM CST
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Gonzster wrote:
One small wipe for man, one giant sweep for manbehind.
11/30/2007 1:35 PM CST
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dancefan21 wrote:
She is an EVIL threat to corporate America!
11/30/2007 1:36 PM CST
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Shoot1stAskLater wrote:
Good for her! She's been holding it in waiting on the verdict!
11/30/2007 1:40 PM CST
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kreno wrote:
This was a non-taxable item & yet K-mart was unaware of the law. I guess that memo must have fallen through the cracks!
11/30/2007 1:50 PM CST
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Golf wrote:
Now Im curious, what is taxable and non taxable? Anyone compiled a list?
11/30/2007 1:55 PM CST
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beckyj1 wrote:
Gonzter----------lmao
11/30/2007 2:10 PM CST
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cyrusmom wrote:
Gonzster: That my friend, was hillarious!
11/30/2007 2:22 PM CST
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Tappa_Kegga_Beer wrote:
LOL @Gonzter!
Here's one for ya!

A blonde, a brunette and a redhead were walking along the beach. A seagull flies over and craps all over the blonde.

The brunette says in a disgusted voice, "Hang on the bathroom is just up the hill, I'll go get some toilet paper."

After she leaves the blonde begins to laugh.

The redhead says, "What's so funny?"

The blonde says, "Well, blondes are supposed to be so dumb and look at her. By the time she gets back with that toilet paper that seagull will be miles away!"

TKB
11/30/2007 2:47 PM CST
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shavedwombat wrote:
how did this headline get past the censors?

rubs woman the wrong way....I love it!
11/30/2007 2:53 PM CST
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supertiger wrote:
Well I'm glad they got that mess all cleaned up!

11/30/2007 3:01 PM CST
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solar_beta wrote:
no taxation without wipe-resentation! HA-HA-HA. HE-HE-HE. HO-HO-HO. cough, cough, gaghhh! sorry.
11/30/2007 4:24 PM CST
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Shoot1stAskLater wrote:
K-mart makes me want to go, too.
11/30/2007 4:44 PM CST
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jc0415 wrote:
This crap is too straining on the plop-ulation.
11/30/2007 5:07 PM CST
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Shoot1stAskLater wrote:
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Crapiness.
11/30/2007 5:31 PM CST
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99er wrote:
Toilet paper is so yesterday. Water your bottom with a bidet.
11/30/2007 5:47 PM CST
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[jterrell]

hahahahaha

welcome to pz wg
post more!
we need a woman's voice here.

[Rack Bauer]

See, that's the problem with our tax system! You drive, you pay a tax; you shop, you pay a tax; you own property, you pay a tax; you work, you pay a tax. OK, I think by now many of us are accustomed to the aforementioned taxes, but I'll be DARNED IF I'M GONNA PAY A TAX TO WIPE MY...

Gold.... pure gold.

[jterrell]

Originally Posted by Rack

Gold.... pure gold.

if the fair tax folks get their way we will all pay taxes to wipe our butts....