
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 22, 1990                   TAG: 9005220543
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

OVERDUE-TAX CRACKDOWN PAYS OFF

Virginia's get-tough stance with delinquent taxpayers has paid off, netting $1 in overdue taxes for each 4.3 cents the state spent advertising a tax amnesty program this spring, officials said Monday.

Virginia took in $32.2 million in overdue taxes during the two-month amnesty period that ended March 31, state Tax Commissioner William Forst told the House Appropriations Committee.

At their monthly meeting, committee members heard that general revenue collection continues to lag behind state estimates for the year's intake.

The state's revised budget calls for 1989-1990 revenue to grow 5.2 percent over last year. But through April, revenue had risen just 2.8 percent.

Under the tax amnesty program, the state promised that delinquent taxpayers could avoid hefty penalties if they paid back taxes and interest promptly. More than 25,000 people paid up.

- Associated Press

by CNB