Pennsylvania tax tidbit: amnesty

Do you owe back taxes to the Keystone State? Then mark April 26 on your calendar.

Beginning that day and running through June 18, some delinquent Pennsylvania taxpayers can apply to the department to participate in the state's tax amnesty. 

Qualifying taxpayers will be required to file an amnesty return with the Department of Revenue and pay all delinquent taxes. But they'll only have to pay half of the interest that had accrued on the tax debt and all penalty charges will be waived.

In addition to personal income taxes, a wide variety of taxes that were delinquent as of June 30, 2009, and any nonfiled returns due as of that date are eligible for the amnesty.

Taxpayers will also be required to submit all unfiled tax returns and reports. And taxpayers reporting due taxes that are unknown to the department will be required to pay up to five years of taxes due in order to qualify for amnesty.

If you have an unpaid tax, you should get a notice with information on the amnesty and details on participation. If you're delinquent on more than one tax, don't be surprised to see a separate notice for each.

Tax trip around the United States: This post is part of our series highlighting tax information from the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. You can read other state tax blurbs at our Complete menu of tasty state tax tidbits.

The State Tax Departments page provides links to official state and District of Columbia revenue Web sites so that you can find out more about your home's tax laws and filing requirements.

As we work through the 2010 tax season, a different state will be featured each day as noted in Don't forget your state taxes! Check back to see what tax tidbit we share about your home.

Related posts:

• State Tax Tidbits
• State Tax Departments
• Don't forget your state taxes!
• Taxing Pennsylvania's arts and culture
• Giving thanks for tax amnesties

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