|
"We are expecting great participation
across the board from both individuals and businesses," said Brian
Hamer, director, Illinois Department of Revenue. "Amnesty offers
people the chance to clear the slate on outstanding debts to the
state. It's the right thing to do."
Illinois is offering a tax amnesty
program for the first time since 1984. For six weeks, from Oct. 1
through Nov. 17, the amnesty will let taxpayers pay overdue taxes to
the state without penalties or interest. However, beginning Nov. 18,
penalties and interest will double on all unpaid taxes.
The amnesty program's goal is to bring
people into compliance and to collect an additional $40 million in
state revenue. "In this time of budgetary need, amnesty will raise
much-needed state revenues," Hamer explained. "All funds collected
will be directed to the Common School Fund and the General Revenue
Fund."
Advanced technology and government
coordination have allowed the Department of Revenue to identify more
of those owing liabilities then ever before. To that end, more than
175,000 amnesty letters have been mailed to eligible individuals and
businesses, but there are others not yet reached by the notices.
[to top of second column in
this article] |
The amnesty program applies to all
outstanding liabilities owed during tax periods after July 1, 1983,
and before June 30, 2002. Participation is easy, and no application
is required. All outstanding liabilities must be paid in full and
can be paid through electronic funds withdrawal, cash, check or
money order.
All qualified applicants must not be
party to a criminal investigation nor have civil or criminal
litigation pending for any tax collected by the Illinois Department
of Revenue. The Illinois Tax Amnesty Program does not cover
liabilities of any balance due outside the July 1, 1983 - June 30,
2002 period, lien filing and lien release fees, bad check penalties
or any accepted offer in compromise.
This program runs only from Oct. 1 to
Nov. 17. Avoid double penalty and interest charges by taking
advantage of this rare opportunity. More information on the Illinois
Tax Amnesty Program is available by calling 1 (800) 732-8866 and at
http://www.revenue.state.il.us/Amnesty/.
"It's the
responsibility of every Illinois resident and business to pay the
state taxes that they owe. When everyone pays, we all benefit,"
Hamer noted.
[Illinois
Department of Revenue
news release] |
