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KC Lags In Back Tax Collections

Kansas City, Mo. – Kansas City is painfully slow collecting overdue taxes from businesses. The fact became apparent when the city auditor reported to the city council this week it takes, on average, 241 days to pick out which businesses owe occupational license fees.

Jason Phillips was a member of the auditing team, describing deficiencies.

"In the tax years 2004 to 2008, an average of 145 days elapsed between the due date for withholdings of earnings taxes to the date potential delinquent cases were identified," Phillips gave as an example.

Auditors say it may take months or years for the city to notify delinquent taxpayers. City income from back taxes dropped $1.3 million between 2006 and 2008.

 

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