Later this year, Massachusetts taxpayers who have not filed their state returns or paid their assessments will have a chance to get back on track without having to pay the normal fines and interest.
Five weeks from now, from November 1 to December 30, the Department of Revenue will offer tax relief. A number of times over the years, the state has used amnesty programs to try to get taxpayers to meet their responsibilities.
A part 225 of the state’s yearly budget gave permission for the program. This part of the budget expected that the amnesty program would bring in $100 million in money that could be used to support the budget.
“Beginning November 1, I urge individuals and businesses to take this chance to voluntarily pay their back taxes and interest,” said Geoffrey Snyder, the commissioner of revenue.
The department has a webpage with commonly asked questions and a list of tax types that can use it. These include individuals, businesses, estates, and trusts.
The program gives people who did not file their taxes a three-year window of time to fix their mistakes.
People who are being investigated or prosecuted for tax crimes, people who got amnesty in 2015 or 2016 for the same type of tax and time period, people who are in bankruptcy, and people who filed a false or fraudulent return are not qualified for amnesty.
The department said that taxpayers who are eligible and owe money on taxes will get a letter letting them know about the amnesty. They will then have to file their tax returns for the requested amnesty time and pay all the tax and interest that is due by Dec. 30, 2024.
