Who says tax amnesty doesn’t work? The cash-strapped City of Philadelphia expects to meet its goal of collecting between $25 and $30 million during its Tax Amnesty Program… and it just got a little bit closer. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the City received a single taxpayer payment of $2 million. That represents more than 10% of the amount of tax collected so far.
During tax amnesty in Philly, taxpayers must pay tax owed but the penalty and half of the interest is waived. The program ends Friday, June 25, 2010. For more info, visit the amnesty web site.
I am one of those contacted to pay taxes, but it was after the amnesty date. In short, I was contracted by the school district to do staff development in fall of 2005. Was not paid until April of 2006 and then finished my work fall of 2006. Went home to Co. paid all my state and fed taxes as usual and moved on. In July of this year I got the “pay us taxes or we will send collectors after you letter” I thought it was a scam until the second letter, then I checked with the city hall.
I was never told of this tax when I signed my contracts with the School District of Philadelphia and no withholding was offered. This is so strange to me since your mayor runs the schools too. Today I sent in checks for my BPL $300.00 and taxes plus interest totaling $2,369.00. They “forgave” the penalty. I forgave them the late fees on my billing that totaled $2,400.00 back in ’06. Wish I had not done that now.
Thanks for letting me vent. I don’t ever want to work in Philly again, although I love the teachers I worked with and still communicate with them. If I do ever work there again I will be sure to charge double. That’ll show’em 😉