Toilet paper tax squabble lands in court

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- A 28-cent charge on the purchase of a package of toilet paper has degenerated into a courtroom battle between Kmart and a suburban Pittsburgh shopper.

Mary Bach of Murrysville sued Kmart for $100 because she felt she was wrongly charged sales tax twice when she bought a 12-pack of tissue for $3.99 at her local store.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Friday Bach contends TP is clearly on the list of non-taxable paper goods in Pennsylvania. She happens to be the head of an AARP consumer task force in the area and says the charges can add up to a lot of money when multiplied by the large number of shoppers who patronize Kmart.

Kmart told the newspaper it doesn’t comment on pending litigation, but will get its chance at a hearing before a judge on Oct. 13.