Midway through the state’s 30-day tax amnesty period, officials with the Louisiana Department of Revenue say they’re pleased with the response they have received so far. Though the department does not yet have any data on how much of the potential $1.9 billion in unpaid state taxes it stands to eventually recover, spokesperson Kizzy Payton says response so far has been “on target” with what was expected.
“We have received a positive response to the program since we launched it earlier this month,” Payton says. “The amnesty website is working well, and there has been a high level of interest in the installment plan option that is being offered this year.”
Though the department has said its goal for this amnesty period is to collect just $100 million of the potential $1.9 billion, last year it collected more than $450 million during a similar program. This is the second of three annual amnesty periods created by the state Legislature. During the periods, 100% of penalties owed and 50% of interest on unpaid state taxes are waived.
This year is the first time there is an installment payment option, though it is only available to delinquent taxpayers—not those who are disputing, and therefore not paying, their bills. Delinquent taxpayers, mostly individuals and small businesses, collectively owe just $800 million of the $1.9 billion in unpaid state taxes. The remaining $1.1 billion is owed by mostly large corporations, who dispute their tax bills.
The amnesty period runs through Nov. 15. A third amnesty period will be held next fall, then there will not be another one until 2025.
