Toledo offers a way to pay back taxes

9/21/2007

People with delinquent tax debts to the city of Toledo have a two-month window, beginning yesterday, to pay their tax and avoid penalties and interest.

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner said the one-time opportunity could reap between $500,000 and $1 million for the city.

Total unpaid taxes are estimated at $17 million, reaching back to 1971, said Clarence Coleman, the city's commissioner of taxation. But he said many of those debts are not collectible.

The city has hired General Revenue Corp. of Cincinnati to try to collect on the delinquent taxes and to run the amnesty.

Mr. Coleman said GRC will get 25 percent of payments received during the two-month program.

Eligible are unpaid taxes for years before 2006.

Information about the amnesty program, which ends Nov. 20, is available by visiting in person from 7:30 a.m. to

4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday in Government Center, Suite 2070; by phone from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 1-800-436-5279, or online at www.toledo.oh.gov.