Delaware updates delinquent taxpayer list

By publicizing the names of the top tax delinquents, the state Division of Revenue is hoping to shame those delinquents into paying up.

Adding up all the delinquent individuals and businesses on the list shows the state is owed more than $6 million. The state has been using the shaming tactic since February 2007, with some success.  Since then, the state has collected more than $9.2 million in previously unpaid taxes.  

“It has been our experience that most individuals and businesses prefer to pay their delinquent taxes, rather than have their names posted online,” says Division of Revenue Director Patrick Carter.  “Having this additional tool to aid our collection efforts has been especially beneficial to the state because it costs little to implement and even less to maintain.”  

In order to be listed, taxpayers must have already received a judgment for unpaid taxes.  Those on the list are notified by mail that their name may be posted on line as a delinquent and are given 60 days to respond.  The names of taxpayers who reach a payment agreement with the state or pay off their balance during that time are either not published or will be removed from the list.  Those who have filed for bankruptcy protection are excluded from the list.

You can look at the list on the state’s website www.revenue.delaware.gov/ddt.shtml.