Lawmakers Want To Shame Tax Scofflaws Online

With $2.5 billion in unpaid taxes owed to the state, State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx) has introduced a bill that would post the names of tax scofflaws online. For instance, the Daily News reports that there's a "phone card company that owes more than $15 million" while "a Manhattan outfit that runs luxury yacht tours and owes $1.8 million." Klein says, "They're not paying their taxes, and hardworking people around the state of New York who are doing the right thing ...are getting hurt as a result." Assemblyman William Colton has also proposed a similar list—he'd like to list the "top 250 individual tax delinquents" and "top 250 business tax cheats." Maybe NYC should consider this idea.

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By Jen Chung in News on May 18, 2009 8:52 AM

Comments [rss]

TKaisen

The Courts will then see invasion of privacy and civil rights violations and that'll be the end of that.

Civil rights? Really? Do explain.

Steven

It always seems like the people who have the most money to pay taxes don't.

JacqueMehoff

and what would producing a list of the top tax scofflaws accomplish? besides potentially blacklisting a person.

JacqueMehoff

you can already find scofflaws/tax warrants on the NYS Taxation website. They're already on-line. I know, I'm on it. are these politicians just out of touch?

Politburo

No (at least not for this reason). The current system requires that you search the records for a name that you provide. This bill would publish a list of the top offenders. It's push vs. pull.

Mr Mel

The first time they list a person or a company in error we'll see a lawsuit of epic proportions. The Courts will then see invasion of privacy and civil rights violations and that'll be the end of that.