Publication of delinquents generates $4m in additional business tax revenue
Philadelphia, June 29, 2009 – The City of Philadelphia today added 57 businesses and 37 associated officers, against whom it has obtained judgments exceeding $5.2 million, to its published lists of business tax judgments against delinquent taxpayers. This is the third list of business tax delinquents published by the City. Overall, the delinquent taxpayer publication initiative has generated $2.4 million in revenue and the City has entered into agreements to receive an additional $1.6 million from those targeted for publication.
“Our tax delinquency efforts have generated an additional $4m in business tax revenue since we began publishing names last November,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Collecting every last dollar that is owed to the City is especially important in these tough economic times as we ask everybody to make some sacrifice to get us through this crisis.”
Combined, the lists now consist of 190 businesses and 149 associated officers, against whom the City has a total of $53.3 million in judgments.
Courts have entered judgments against all businesses and officers appearing on the lists and they have neither made full payment nor honored any payment arrangements they previously made with the City. Before posting the lists, the City contacted the businesses and officers numerous times to collect delinquent taxes.
When Mayor Nutter launched this initiative last November, he stated that “we are publishing this list of top tax delinquents to send a strong message to those who would consider not paying their taxes: we know who you are, we know what you owe, and we are going to collect it.” The City continues to aggressively utilize every tool legally available, ranging from voluntary compliance and the tax fraud hotline up through lawsuits, collection agencies, and Sheriff’s sales, to go after those who refuse to pay taxes they owe. It is becoming more difficult for tax dodgers to hide.
Citizens who are aware of tax fraud on the part of individuals or business can call the City of Philadelphia’s Tax Fraud Hotline – 215-686-3852. The complete delinquent judgment lists are available on the Law Department’s website, www.phila.gov/law/TaxDelinquent.html, and may also be accessed from the Revenue Department’s website (www.phila.gov/revenue).
Delinquent taxpayers who appear on the lists should contact the City of Philadelphia Law Department, Tax Unit, Judgment Executions, One Parkway, 15th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1595, telephone 215-683-5207. The City intends to add new delinquent business tax judgment taxpayers to the lists on at least a quarterly basis, and each month will remove delinquent taxpayers who have resolved their tax liabilities.
***Notes***
Yellow highlight denotes new additions to the list. Non-highlighted names were published on the first and second lists.
