State collects $278,700 in delinquent sales taxes

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The Minnesota Department of Revenue has collected $278,700 in the first year of posting to their website a list of Minnesota businesses that have failed to file and/or pay sales tax.

When the list was first launched, 64 businesses owed sales tax to the state. To date, 18 businesses have paid in full and have been removed from the list.

The department can revoke sales tax permits for nonpayment of sales tax and/or non filing of sales tax returns. If the business is operating after the sales tax permit is revoked, the individuals running the business are subject to criminal charges.

The list includes the name of the business, dollar amount owed, and the date the sales tax permit was revoked. The business will remain on the list until the permit is reinstated. The list is updated monthly but businesses are removed from the list as soon as their permit is reinstated.

To view the list on-line:

•Go to: www.taxes.state.mn.us

•Select “Collection Division” on the left side of the screen.

•Select “Revoked Sales Tax Permits” on the right side of the screen.

Minnesota sales tax is a “trust tax.” Customers who pay sales tax trust and expect businesses to send it to the state on their behalf. It must not be used by a business as additional operating capital or for any other purpose.

If an individual or business makes retail sales in Minnesota after revocation of a Minnesota sales tax permit, the action is considered a felony under Minnesota law. To avoid enforcement actions, violators are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of Revenue before their license is revoked to negotiate a resolution.

Tags: news, state, delinquent, sales, taxes