Kentucky spreads word about offer of tax amnesty

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Kentucky could generate more than $60 million through an amnesty offer that allows delinquent taxpayers to avoid financial penalties and prosecution if they pay up within the next two months.

Gov. Steve Beshear kicked off a public awareness campaign Monday aimed at getting word to delinquent taxpayers in hopes of filling state coffers with overdue cash.

"This is a great way to add significant revenue to the state budget in a short amount of time," Beshear said. "Offering amnesty also helps responsible taxpayers who've faced tough times and want to get out of trouble a way to meet their obligations and save them significant money."

Lawmakers authorized the amnesty offer earlier this year at the request of Beshear who expects it to reap $61 million for the cash-strapped state that's still feeling the pinch of economic recession. The money will be used to help balance a two-year, $19 billion budget that requires most state agencies and programs to be cut by 8.4 percent.

Kentucky has a list of nearly 170,000 people and businesses behind on their tax payments.

The amnesty offer expires Nov. 30.