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Governor signs Herrera’s
bill
Legislation waives interest, penalties on
business excise taxes for
deployed service
personnel
Governor Gregoire signed a
bill today that will relieve military personnel serving in active combat
areas of interest and penalties on their delinquent excise tax payments.
Rep.
Jaime Herrera, lead sponsor of
House Bill 3283, accompanied the governor at the
bill-signing.
“The men and women of our armed services put their lives on the line for
us around the world. I think it is our responsibility to ease their
burdens here at home. My bill will give business owners who are called
into active duty combat one less thing to worry about,” said Herrera,
R-Ridgefield. “I appreciate the bipartisan support my legislation
has received throughout the process. I also want to thank the people who
shared their personal stories that brought this bill to life and showed
why it is needed.”
Testifying in favor of House Bill 3283 during a committee hearing
in Olympia last month was Lt. Col. John Perry from Battle Ground. He is
a small-business owner and a reservist called to active duty in 2004.
Herrera also testified in favor of the bill.
Under current law, the state waives interest and penalties on delinquent
property taxes for military personnel stationed in active combat areas.
House Bill 3283 extends the same protections for business excise tax.
The state Department of Revenue currently charges interest on unpaid
excise tax. It can also assess a 5 percent penalty on unpaid
tax for tax returns filed late. This penalty can increase to 25
percent if taxes are unpaid for more than two months.
The 2008 legislative session concluded March 13.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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