June 26, 2002

Michigan’s 2002 Tax Amnesty period officially ends Monday, July 1. Throughout this special Amnesty period, individuals and businesses have been paying back taxes and interest they owed to the state, while avoiding penalties. In all, eighteen different taxes are eligible for Amnesty, but to qualify, they must have been due on or before June 1, 2001. To be considered for this program, an Amnesty application and amended tax forms must be postmarked by midnight July 1. According to State Treasurer Douglas B. Roberts, this is an opportunity that should not be missed. "This Tax Amnesty period provides a perfect vehicle for any taxpayer, who for whatever reason, has failed to file or properly file a Michigan tax form in the past," Roberts says. "We don’t often get an opportunity to clear up past mistakes and without penalty. But, this Tax Amnesty is that Second Chance."

To take advantage of Tax Amnesty, taxpayers must file an Amnesty application along with the tax form(s) for the year or years in question. Taxpayers must also send in payment for all taxes and interest due. Tax Amnesty is available for any individual or business that has underreported income, and/or overstated deductions, credits or exemptions or is delinquent in paying a past debt for Michigan taxes. Treasurer Roberts urges all eligible persons to take advantage of this unique opportunity before time runs out. Again, Amnesty forms must be postmarked no later than July 1, 2002, to be considered.

For more information on Michigan’s 2002 Tax Amnesty program, call toll-free, 1-866-410-0002 or log onto our Web site at www.michigan.gov/treasury. You can access tax forms from past years, and an interest calculator is available to help taxpayers determine how much interest they may owe.