Jul. 20, 2017
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s latest Tax Amnesty Program, an initiative proposed by Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks), brought in $114.5 million, surpassing the $100 million net revenue previously estimated, she announced today.
“Last session, I introduced legislation, which was rolled into the 2016-17 budget package, to create the Tax Amnesty Program in order incentivize Pennsylvanians who owe the state back taxes to make things right with the Commonwealth,” Quinn said.
The Tax Amnesty Program waived all penalties and half of the interest for eligible individuals or businesses that applied to the program and paid delinquent state taxes between April 21 and June 19, 2017. Taxpayers who were eligible but didn’t participate in the program will now be assessed a 5 percent penalty.
Quinn emphasized that tax amnesty is not a forgiveness of debt but a reduction in fines to encourage payment.
Anyone who took advantage of this program will not eligible to do so again should Pennsylvania enact a subsequent amnesty program.
Funds collected through the program will be used to in the 2016-17 fiscal year budget. The preliminary tax amnesty collections totals may be revised in the coming weeks, which could increase the amount collected.
The last time Pennsylvania hosted a tax amnesty program was seven years ago. During the 2010 program, 60,000 business and individuals with outstanding tax bills took advantage of the amnesty program, which generated more than $250 million for the state treasury, far exceeding expectations.
“Considering the amount collected, I believe the Legislature should seriously consider offering more Tax Amnesty Programs in the future,” Quinn said. “These programs are a proven way of recovering delinquent tax dollars that might otherwise go uncollected.”
For more information, please visit
RepQuinn.com or
Facebook.com/RepQuinn.
Representative Marguerite Quinn
143rd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepQuinn.net /
Facebook.com/RepQuinn