Nearly 8,900 businesses paid $320.7 million in state and local back taxes during a three-month amnesty period that ended April 30, the Department of Revenue reported Tuesday. The Legislature unanimously enacted the first-ever amnesty in December at the request of Governor Chris Gregoire. It allowed the Department to waive penalties and interest for qualifying businesses that paid the agreed upon back taxes between Feb. 1 and April 30. Of the total, $263.4 million is general fund tax, $0.5 million is other state tax, and $56.8 million is local tax that will be forwarded to counties and cities. Agency Director Suzan DelBene said 78 percent of the participating businesses were small ones grossing less than $1 million a year. “I’m pleased that so many businesses took this first-ever opportunity to come forward and settle their back taxes,” DelBene said. “It’s helped them get a fresh start with the state while bringing in additional dollars at a time when both state and local governments need them.”