A tax amnesty program for delinquent taxpayers brought in less money than lawmakers anticipated. The program allowed people and businesses to pay back taxes without a penalty.
Lawmakers estimated it would generate $30 million, but the program brought in $23 million. While the total was $7 million less than expected, Kansas Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan is still happy with the results.
“I think it’s a good number. It’s obviously collection of taxes due, rightfully so they’ve been paid. Most of it was in corporate income. We’re pleased with the number,” says Jordan.
Some lawmakers were skeptical last year that the move could reach the $30 million estimate. Jordan says while they didn’t hit the target, it still brought in tax money that otherwise may have been difficult to collect.
“This is obviously an encouragement to taxpayers to pay up for taxes due. This certainly sped up the process and probably saved us some money in collecting the dollars,” says Jordan.
The biggest sources of the revenue came from corporations and individuals who were behind on their income taxes.
Jordan says the shortfall in the tax amnesty program has already been accounted for in recent state revenue reports.