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Maryland's top tax evaders owe more than $15 million combined

Posted at 1:12 PM, Mar 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-20 13:12:32-04

Comptroller Peter Franchot announced the names of the top 25 businesses and 25 people who owe money to the state. Collectively they owe $15.7 million in unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest to the state of Maryland. 

As part of the Caught in the Web program, the Comptroller’s Office publishes the top scofflaws on the agency’s website in a public attempt to get those on the list to pay what they owe.

“My office is committed to ensuring that everyone pays their fair share of taxes, as the vast majority of Marylanders do. The Caught in the Web program highlights a small number of individuals and businesses that make a conscious effort to not pay their taxes,” said comptroller Franchot in a statement.

“These are not people simply down on their luck and unable to pay. These are people who have chosen to take advantage of the benefits of this great state while thumbing their noses at the taxpayers who fulfill their legal obligations.” 

Created to send a message to those who ignore attempts by the state to collect overdue taxes, the Caught in the Web program names tax delinquents owing the largest sum in back taxes on the agency’s website for six months, until payment has been received or a payment plan has been initiated.
 
Since the program’s inception in 2000, the Comptroller’s Office has collected more than $43.3 million from delinquent taxpayers whose names appeared on one of the agency’s lists. The list of scofflaws unveiled today shows liabilities of nearly $8 million in back taxes, penalties and interest from 25 individuals and $7.7 million from 25 businesses.