State To Begin Posting Names Of Deficient Taxpayers On Internet

State To

Begin Posting Names Of Deficient Taxpayers On Internet

Next Monday, Georgia citizens

with Internet access will be able to review a list on the Georgia Department

of Revenue's Web site naming individuals and business that are not paying

their state taxes.

"We intend to take advantage

of the authorization given the Department during the 2003 session of the

Georgia legislature and begin publishing the names of individuals and

businesses that have a deficient tax account with the Department,"

said Revenue Commissioner Bart L. Graham.

The list will contain the

names of 200 individuals and 200 businesses, which the department has

recorded public liens against with the superior court where the individual

resides or the business is located.

"The individuals and

businesses appearing on the list should not be surprised. The department

has mailed a minimum of three official notices to each of the list entries

and they choose to ignore our efforts," said Graham.

Georgia statute 48-3-29 states

that "the commissioner may publish in the media or on the Internet

for public access any or all information with respect to executions issued

for the collection of any tax, fee, license,penalty, interest, or collection

costs due the state which are recorded on the public records of any county.

The publication provided for in this code section shall not constitute

an unlawful disclosure of any information even though the executions giving

rise to the information may be subsequently partially paid, paid and canceled,

or withdrawn."

South Carolina began posting

names on its "Debtor's Corner" in April 2001 and North Carolina's

"Tax Debtors" was initiated in January 2002.

Connecticut, which began its

"Top 100" in 1997, has collected more than $161million through

its Internet postings.

"We intend to use all

the resources-like the Internet, garnishments,private collection agencies

and liens - to collect the taxes owed. We intend to treat everyone in

a fair and equitable way but we will not be ignored,"Graham added.

The Georgia Department of

Revenue estimates that approximately 420,693 taxpayers with deficient

accounts dating