You might call it an “on-line hall of shame” for tax delinquents. The state has posted the names of the biggest sales tax violators online. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.
It's not clear whether the embarrassment will be enough to convince the violators to send checks for the back taxes. Earlier this month the state Board of Equalization posted the list of more than 200 businesses that owe a total of $219 million to the state.
Spokeswoman Anita Gore says the debt amounts range considerably.
Gore : Anywhere from 200-thousand dollars to 17 million dollars. The businesses that are on this list are big businesses, small businesses from rural areas and urban areas they pretty much run the gamut.
The list has only been up a matter of days but so far no one on it has been "shamed" into paying up. However Gore says they sent letters to the top offenders notifying them the list was about to be published. She says that threat prompted one taxpayer to immediately pay in full $300,000. Two others agreed to payment plans that brought in more than $1.5 million. The list is a result of a new state law.
Jenny O'Mara, KPBS News.
