Note: This version of section effective until 1-1-2024. See also following version of this section, effective 1-1-2024.

     Sec. 7. (a) A tax is imposed on the distribution of tobacco products in Indiana at the rate of:

Terms Used In Indiana Code 6-7-2-7

  • distributor: means a person who:

    Indiana Code 6-7-2-2

  • moist snuff: means any finely cut, ground, or powdered tobacco that is not intended to be:

    Indiana Code 6-7-2-2.1

  • wholesale price: means the net price shown on an invoice and at which the manufacturer of the tobacco products sells tobacco products to distributors, excluding any discount or other reduction that is not shown on the invoice. See Indiana Code 6-7-2-6
(1) twenty-four percent (24%) of the wholesale price of tobacco products other than moist snuff; or

(2) for moist snuff, forty cents ($0.40) per ounce, and a proportionate tax at the same rate on all fractional parts of an ounce. If the tax calculated for a fractional part of an ounce carried to the third decimal place results in the numeral in the third decimal place being greater than four (4), the amount of the tax shall be rounded to the next additional cent.

     (b) A tax is imposed on the distribution of alternative nicotine products in Indiana at a rate of forty cents ($0.40) per ounce, and a proportionate tax at the same rate on all fractional parts of an ounce, calculated based upon the product weight as listed by the manufacturer. If the tax calculated for a fractional part of an ounce carried to the third decimal place being greater than four (4), the amount of the tax shall be rounded to the next additional cent.

     (c) The distributor of the tobacco products or alternative nicotine products is liable for the tax imposed under subsections (a) or (b). The tax is imposed at the time the distributor:

(1) brings or causes tobacco products or alternative nicotine products to be brought into Indiana for distribution;

(2) manufactures tobacco products or alternative nicotine products in Indiana for distribution;

(3) transports tobacco products or alternative nicotine products to retail dealers in Indiana for resale by those retail dealers; or

(4) first receives the tobacco products or alternative nicotine products in Indiana in the case of a distributor or distributor transactions.

     (d) The Indiana general assembly finds that the tax rate on smokeless tobacco should reflect the relative risk between such products and cigarettes.

     (e) A consumer who purchases untaxed tobacco products or alternative nicotine products from a distributor or retailer is liable for the tax imposed under subsections (a) or (b).

As added by P.L.96-1987, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.192-2002(ss), SEC.138; P.L.234-2007, SEC.201; P.L.172-2011, SEC.83; P.L.205-2013, SEC.129; P.L.165-2021, SEC.107; P.L.137-2022, SEC.68.