Albany, NY – A Brooklyn assemblyman wants to shame the state’s worst tax delinquents into paying up.
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Assemblyman William Colton (D-Brooklyn) is proposing legislation that the state tax department create a list of the top 250 individual tax delinquents to post on its Web site.
A separate list of the top 250 business tax cheats would also be posted.
“We’ve got to start doing something to recover money from people not paying their fair share,” Colton said.
Officials say there are about 1million outstanding tax warrants totalling $14.4 billion. While many are deemed “uncollectible,” tax officials estimate $4.2 billion in judgments are active.
People and businesses who are fighting their tax judgment, sign agreements to repay what they owe, or are in bankruptcy would be excluded or taken off the list, Colton said.
Colton said he modeled his bill after one in Delaware, which has posted the names, addresses, and tax liabilities of the top 100 individual and business tax cheats since February 2007.
Since that year, the small state has collected almost $4 million in back taxes from hundreds of business and individuals who were on the list, said Patrick Carter, Delaware’s director of revenue.
While the state hasn’t polled those who settled, Carter said he expects many businesses don’t want the public embarrassment. He said he knows of one accounting firm that was on the list that finally paid up after losing several clients.
Many individuals, he said, likely don’t want their neighbors to know they owe.
“When we started, I was very skeptical, but it’s worked for us,” he said.
Colton said he is searching for a state Senate sponsor for his bill.
“It sets a tone that needs to be set,” he said of creating a tax delinquent list. “We’re facing a crisis in this state and we’ve got to get contributions from everyone.”
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers owe the city more than $2billion in unpaid taxes, parking tickets and overdue fines.
Those identified as city scofflaws include a legendary numbers king, a jailed Long Island millionaire and several prestigious or well-known businesses.
GREAT IDEA. The same should be done with spouse and child abusers and sex abusers.
Then I have a good chance to know who is the Next cabinet member by the Obama administration
Lets start with the politicians – Ranger, dinkins, 1/2 of the obama admistration, etc.
What is happening to our country.I thought this was america what does that nut think he is doing when is the last time he paid his taxes properly?
Sure, steal from a another person, you have to pay him back, steal from the goverment who takes about 65% of your money and you get 5-6 years in Jail plus you your name apears on this website.
How about making a website where people can report abuse of the tax money? How about making a website where you can figure out what you REALLY pay in taxes, so you know that this is a comunist state with political freedoms.
Income tax = 35%
Social Security Tax = 15.3%
Medecare Tax = 1.45%
Sales tax = 9% (most of your money pays sales tax when used so your real tax
So before I continue, we are already paying 50% of everything we earn to the goverment (besides a few exception)
Utilities (electric, gas, phones = somewhere around 50%
Hotel tax
Tolls for bridges that its costs have been coverd a long time ago.
Sin Tax (wine, ciggarettes etc..)
Security tax every time you fly on a plane.
The list goes on and on!
I think its a great idea! I would inform people first, and ask them to make good on what they owe. If they don’t pay, then post the names!
As for making a place where people can report those fraudulently take social assistance (WIC, welfare, food stamps, etc.), I am all for that too. I am tired of paying for low-lifes who masquerade in the community while living like leeches on society. They are thieves and we should have a good way on a website to turn them in.
obama has sooooooo many people in his administration?!? talk about BIG government.
Mr Colton.. While we are at it, why don’t we simply plant a government chip in every newborn and have an on-line site allowing everyone to read that individuals on-going history. Oh, and let’s begin by implanting the politicians first!