Taxpayers with overdue state taxes may be eligible to pay them without penalties or interest under a new amnesty program. The first-ever amnesty authorized by the Washington State Legislature during its one-day special session Dec. 11 applies to state business and occupation and public utility taxes and state and local sales and use taxes. The program is open to both registered and unregistered businesses.
Qualifying taxpayers can apply for the program from February 1 to April 18, and must pay back taxes by April 30. The Department of Revenue expects to have the application procedures ready by mid-January. The program is expected to generate $24.4 million for the state and $3.9 million for local governments during current fiscal year. More information is available at http://dor.wa.gov/amnesty or by calling 1-800-647-7706.