Del. puts delinquent taxpayers on blast

Delaware’s delinquent taxpayers lists are out, and they are two lists you don’t want to make.

The Division of Revenue released the top 100 delinquent individual and business taxpayers Tuesday on its website.

Bruce A. Hudson tops the individuals list, owing almost $610,000 to the state.

On the business side, Eagle Transportation Services owes $463,000, according to the list.

The Department of Finance says, combined, the state is owed more than $8 million.

But as each list is posted, Division of Revenue Director Patrick Carter says, the state sees a surge in its collection of back taxes.

“People are responsive to paying their taxes rather than having their names published online. Plus Delaware saves money by not having to pay collection agency costs that we normally pay to collect this debt. This project has been very positive for the state.”

Delaware started publishing its online delinquent taxpayer lists in February 2007.

Since then, the state has collected more than $8.3 million.

This past year alone, Carter says more than $1.6 million in back taxes has been collected, from those whose names were published, or were told their names would be published if they didn’t pay up.

“The site has been in place for almost four years and it’s very successful,” Carter says.

Every quarter the next 100 consecutive business tax and 100 consecutive personal tax unresolved balances over a thousand dollars are posted to the site.

Delaware is one of over 20 states and the District of Columbia to publish delinquent taxpayers online.