MADISON – The 2007-09 Biennial Budget, 2007 Act 20, requires the posting on the Internet of persons or businesses that owe more than $5,000 in delinquent tax, including interest, penalties, fees and costs. The previous threshold had been $25,000.
Warning letters were sent in November to the 14,000 accounts eligible for the updated January 2008 posting by the Department of Revenue. Through December 12, more than $2.3 million has been collected, with that amount expected to grow until the list is posted. While not required by the budget provision, the letters allow individuals and businesses the opportunity to resolve their debt prior to the posting.
“The online posting of delinquent accounts has been a very successful enforcement tool for the state,” said Revenue Secretary Roger M. Ervin.
The new list will be posted January 4, 2008, and will contain the name, address, tax type, and amount due for accounts that owe in excess of $5,000. A separate list of the top 100 delinquent taxpayers is also posted on the Internet.
As before, the Internet list will be updated quarterly to add new accounts. Daily updates will be made to remove accounts that have filed bankruptcy, entered an approved installment agreement or submitted an approved petition for compromise with the Department of Revenue. The Department will also remove daily accounts that are paid in full or will adjust to zero.
Since the information was first posted in January 2006, more than $28 million in delinquent taxes has been collected. The original estimate was $1.5 million annually.
The delinquent tax online list can be found at: http://www.revenue.wi.gov/html/delqlist.html
