WRIT QUASHED AS IMPROVIDENTLY GRANTED.

HORNSBY, C.J., and SHORES, ADAMS, HOUSTON and KENNEDY, JJ., concur.

MADDOX and STEAGALL, JJ., dissent.

(dissenting).

In my opinion, the sales tax collected by a merchant pursuant to Ala. Code 1975, § 40-23-26, is not a “debt” owed by the merchant but is, rather, a direct tax levied on the retail consumer and held by the merchant for the benefit of the State of Alabama. Therefore, the tax belonged to the State when it was collected.

Ala.Code 1975, § 40-5-18, also provides that “[n]o property shall be exempt from levy and sale for the payment of taxes....”

For these reasons, I do not believe that the levy and execution for delinquent taxes by the Department of Revenue is contingent on the Department’s making an affirmative assertion of its rights under Ala. Code 1975, § 6-10-26.

I, therefore, respectfully dissent.

MADDOX, J., concurs.

In my opinion, the sales tax collected by a merchant pursuant to Ala. Code 1975, § 40-23-26, is not a "debt" owed by the merchant but is, rather, a direct tax levied on the retail consumer and held by the merchant for the benefit of the State of Alabama. Therefore, the tax belonged to the State when it was collected.

Ala. Code 1975, § 40-5-18, also provides that "[n]o property shall be exempt from levy and sale for the payment of taxes. . . ."

For these reasons, I do not believe that the levy and execution for delinquent taxes by the Department of Revenue is contingent on the Department's making an affirmative assertion of its rights under Ala. Code 1975, § 6-10-26.

I, therefore, respectfully dissent.

MADDOX, J., concurs.