CT Gas Station Penalized Over Tax Violation: AG

LITCHFIELD, CT — A Litchfield gas station has paid a $2,400 fine for failing to lower its gas prices by 25 cents per gallon, according to a statement from Attorney General William Tong. Reeha, LLC was required to lower its gas prices April 1 as required by the state's gas tax holiday suspension.

The gas station did not lower its prices until April 10, according to Tong's statement.

The gas tax holiday began April 1 and was extended through Dec. 31. During this time, the 25-cent state tax on gasoline is suspended.

The tax is scheduled to be phased back in from Dec. 31 to May 1, 2023.

Any gas station suspected of charging the excise tax, or a portion of that tax, during the gas tax holiday will be investigated, according to Tong's statement.

“The gas tax holiday was enacted—and extended—to give families a break. Reeha failed to lower its price as required by law on April 1, inflating costs for their customers. When businesses take advantage of consumers, I won’t hesitate to enforce the law,” Tong said in a statement.

Tong's office has received 320 complaints regarding gas prices since March, both regarding the gas tax holiday and general gas price gouging complaints. His office reviewed all the complaints and initiated 12 gas tax related investigations and 93 price gouging investigations.

There have been three enforcement actions to date, including Reeha and Bridgeport-based Nunes Auto, regarding gas tax violations. Other investigations remain open and ongoing.