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Herrera's bill would help
active duty military personnel with late tax payments
18th District lawmaker’s measure would waive
interest and penalties for deployed service members
State Representative
Jaime Herrera
has
introduced a bipartisan measure that would relieve military personnel
serving in active combat areas of interest and penalties on delinquent
excise tax payments.
House Bill 3283
passed out of the House Finance Committee unanimously late yesterday.
“Our service men and women have chosen to put their lives on the line
for us, and we must do all we can to ease their burdens here at home,” said
Herrera, R-Ridgefield. “This bill would give business
owners who are called into active duty combat one less thing to worry
about.”
Testifying with Herrera in favor of the bill yesterday was Lt. Col.
John Perry from Battle Ground, a small business owner and reservist
who
was called to active duty in 2004.
"Reserve and National Guard personnel deployed to combat zones suffer a
major disruption to their lives and businesses. While separated from
family, friends and livelihood, they must also tackle dangerous and
uncertain challenges in theaters of war," said Perry. "House Bill
3283 recognizes this service to our great nation by relieving the
pressure of filing excise taxes while they are deployed. We who have
served are grateful for this token of support and understanding extended
to those called to give so much."
Under current law, the state waives interest and penalties on delinquent
property taxes for military personnel stationed in active combat areas.
Herrera’s bill extends the same protections for excise tax.
The state Department of Revenue currently charges interest on unpaid
excise tax. It can also assess a 5 percent penalty on top of the unpaid
tax for filing a late tax return. This penalty can increase to 25
percent if taxes are unpaid for more than two months.
“My bill would help military personnel who own businesses that file late
tax returns due to their current service,” said Herrera. “They
would still have to pay all taxes due, but would not have to pay
additional interest or penalties. I think it’s important they have these
protections.”
House Bill 3283 is now on its way to the House Rules Committee
where it can be pulled to the House floor for a vote.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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