Less than a week until tax amnesty program deadline

RHODE ISLAND'S 2012 tax amnesty program, which ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, has generated $8.67 million so far. / COURTESY R.I. DIVISION OF TAXATION
RHODE ISLAND'S 2012 tax amnesty program, which ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, has generated $8.67 million so far. / COURTESY R.I. DIVISION OF TAXATION

PROVIDENCE – With less than a week until its Nov. 15 deadline, Rhode Island’s tax amnesty program, which promises a clean slate to the state’s tax delinquents, has generated $8.67 million so far and drawn 3,750 applications, Tax Administrator David M. Sullivan said Thursday.
“Any taxpayer wishing to take advantage of the benefits of our tax amnesty program should do so quickly,” said Sullivan in prepared remarks. “We’re down to our final week. And we know from past amnesties that a surge of applications arrive in the final days. So it’s best to apply and pay now in order to avoid the rush.”
During the state’s last tax amnesty, in 2006, roughly 80 percent of the total dollars were collected during the final 30 days, according to a Tax Division release. This year’s amnesty period ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15.
If residents file an amnesty application, past-due returns and pay back taxes, the state’s Tax Division said it will take a number of steps to reduce the overall burden, if approved.
If the application is approved, the Tax Division will: waive penalties, reduce interest by 25 percent, agree not to pursue civil or criminal penalties, and agree not to block license renewal.
As of Nov. 7, the Tax Division has received $3.2 million in public service corporation taxes, $2.6 million in personal income taxes, $1.4 million in corporate taxes and $1 million in sales and use tax. The figures include tax and interest paid.
The R.I. Division of Taxation extended the program’s hours an extra 90 minutes to accommodate the higher volume. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on business days.
The walk-in service is available at Tax Division offices on Smith Street, and the office urged those interested in using the walk-in service to arrive by 5 p.m. The office will be closed on Monday, Nov. 12 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

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