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 Those who owe back taxes have through Nov. 8 to make good with
the state without fear of penalties or fees. The program was enacted
by Gov. Pat Quinn in order to draw delinquent tax filers from the
woodwork, who might otherwise continue to duck the state. The
governor is confident the program can generate millions in
additional revenue for a state reeling in debt and mired in unpaid
bills.
"Every so often we have found that this is a good way to bring
forward men and women in Illinois, businesses as well, that owe
money to the state and see this as the best time to do it," Quinn
said.
The amnesty program that started Friday helps debtors to the
state by allowing them to pay off their back taxes without any of
the sizable interest rates, fines and penalties associated with
filing late. The Department of Revenue, however, will not be as
forgiving after the five-week amnesty period ends. Brian Hamer,
department director, issued a warning to delinquent filers and was
as stern as Quinn was optimistic.
"Taxpayers who don't pay during the moratorium program will be
subject to double interest and double penalties, and they will face
our ever more sophisticated and efficient toolbox of enforcement
capabilities," he said.
Department estimates say the moratorium will generate anywhere
from $100 million to $250 million.
Illinois last saw a tax amnesty program in 2003, in which the
state made more than $500 million, though there are no studies
looking at the actual effectiveness of such programs. Quinn hopes to
generate as much money as possible from late filers as the state
works to cover some debts of its own -- namely $6 billion in unpaid
bills -- by year's end.
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"It is something that has proven itself in the past to trigger
(a) response from the individual taxpayers and business taxpayers
that they come forward and pay what they owe without question," he
said. "It has realized a significant amount of money in the past. We
hope to do so in the current time."
The General Assembly last spring passed the program with only one
dissenting vote -- from the Republican gubernatorial candidate,
state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington.
"Sen. Brady has opposed the tax amnesty program because it
becomes an incentive for delinquent taxpayers who simply wait for
the next program to pay late taxes," said Patty Schuch, spokeswoman
for the Brady campaign.
Information about the tax amnesty program can be found on the
website for the Illinois Department of Revenue:
http://www.revenue.state.il.us/Amnesty/
AmnestyQandA.htm.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BILL McMORRIS]
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