An Arkansas cigarette stamp deputy bond is a prerequisite of being commissioned by the Department of Finance as a stamp deputy. Cigarette excise taxes are reported and paid by licensed wholesalers or distributors making the first sale in the State of Arkansas or in-state consumers who purchase unstamped cigarettes. A cigarette tax stamp affixed by a licensed wholesaler to the cigarette pack is evidence that the tax has been paid. The Arkansas cigarette stamp deputy bond is a sort of financial assurance that the deputy will fulfill his or her excise tax collection duties. The Director of Finance normally commissions owners or officers of wholesalers as stamp deputies to handle the stamps and collect the tax on tobacco products before sales of tobacco products are made to the retailers.Because stamp deputies act as agents of the Director, they are held accountable as such for any wrongful acts. The Arkansas cigarette stamp deputy bond also functions as a “compliance bond”, guaranteeing that the deputy will follow the laws and administrative directives of the Director. The stamp deputy is responsible for knowing the tax collection rate, special rules regarding state “border zones”, and other important reporting and accounting duties. The bond amount is set by the Director however pursuant to AR §26-57-236 a stamp deputy’s open account cannot exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the total amount of the Arkansas cigarette stamp deputy bond provided by the deputy. Arkansas surety leader, Surety One, Inc. issues cigarette and tobacco product tax bonds for ALL tobacco professionals regardless of credit. Visit us at SuretyOne.com, call (787) 333-0222 or (800) 373-2804, or email Underwriting@SuretyOne.com for a Arkansas cigarette stamp deputy bond application or information about any bonding need.
