Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 31, 1990 TAG: 9003310626
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
They were optimistic although the state had collected $8.3 million from more than 14,000 individuals and businesses by Friday, far short of its goal of $35.4 million for the two-month amnesty program.
"We're pretty confident that there are a lot of people out there we haven't heard from yet," said Ann Meyers, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Taxation.
Amnesty applications must be postmarked by midnight, she said. "We expect to receive a lot of mail on the second and third of April."
Tax offices will remain open until 5 p.m. today for those who prefer to deliver their checks in person.
In the other 33 states that have tried amnesty programs, most of the money arrived at the last minute, Meyers said. For example, Iowa got 80 percent of its money on the last day, she said.
"We feel confident that we're going to make the goal," she said. Final figures probably won't be available for a couple of weeks, she said.
Several hundred people a day have come through the department's Richmond office this week asking questions about amnesty.
During amnesty, the state is collecting the taxes and interest owed, but is waiving any penalty.
For those who miss the deadline, the state has bad news. Taking effect Sunday will be tougher enforcement measures that include increased fines and authority to padlock businesses.
Payments in the amnesty program have ranged from a penny to more than $300,000 from one business. The largest individual payment came from a man who walked into the Norfolk office with an $85,000 check for one year's taxes, she said.
by CNB