State officials announced a tax amnesty program for delinquent taxpayers that could help the state collect $175 million in unpaid taxes.
Illinois Department of Revenue spokesman Sam Salustro said the program is open to anyone who has unpaid tax liabilities from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2018. People with unpaid tax liabilities can send in the balance of their tax liability to the state and fill out the necessary paperwork to get their fees and interest waived on the penalties.
The window to take advantage of the tax amnesty program begins Oct. 1. Taxpayers will have until Nov. 15, 2019, to make full payment on their unpaid taxes.
The taxes included in the amnesty program are only those liable to the state. Salustro said that other taxes, such as property taxes or local taxes, are not part of the program.
Salustro said the state has sent out notices to most taxpayers who are eligible for the program. He encouraged those who owe back taxes to take advantage of the program.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed the tax amnesty program earlier this year. Lawmakers included the program as part of this year’s state budget. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget estimated the tax amnesty program will bring in $175 million in outstanding taxes to the state.
“Now is an excellent opportunity for taxpayers with tax liabilities to pay what they owe and come into compliance with the law,” Illinois Department of Revenue Acting Director David Harris said in a statement. “By taking advantage of this amnesty program, taxpayers can eliminate any eligible tax debts owed, without penalty or interest. This allows them to have a clean tax slate with the State of Illinois.”
