City to tax delinquents: Stop freeloading

The city yesterday continued its quest to publicly shame tax deadbeats as the Revenue Department showcased its latest list of 38 delinquent bums that owe a combined $5.5 million.

"They're stiffing the city," said mayoral spokesman Mark McDonald. "These folks get high-quality services, police services . . . and they're not paying their fair share. We're stepping it up to get the money that all taxpayers are supposed to be paying. We have a right to that money."

The top-three tax deadbeats, according to the city, include Workforce Culture Connections, Keystone Administrative Services and the Baker Funeral Home. Each owes more than $400,000.

"Why do you want to patronize at a business like that if they're not paying their taxes?" said Revenue Commissioner Keith Richardson. "We're trying to get the word out."

Requests for comment from the businesses on the scofflaw list weren't returned last night.

The quarterly list is part of the city's effort to proactively pursue tax delinquents, Richardson said. Since the lists went public in 2008 exposing 300 delinquent businesses, the city has collected $4.4 million, McDonald said.

"We want to collect 100 percent [of the taxes owed] all of the time," Richardson said.

Mayor Nutter began exposing tax evaders in November 2008, including a Center City lawyer with whom he had a sidewalk showdown in March 2009, and the Bustleton Podiatry Associates in Northeast Philadelphia last year.

Both have either paid what they owed or have a payment plan in place, city officials said.

As part of a tax-amnesty program, the city sends letters to businesses and tries to establish a payment plan. Businesses then have 20 to 25 days to come into compliance before the list goes public. However, if a business takes no action, the Sheriff's Office could sell its property.

Additionally, the Department of Licenses and Inspections can revoke business licenses for failing to pay up. Businesses that have failed to pay wage, liquor, hotel, amusement or parking taxes are being referred to the District Attorney's Office for possible prosecution that could result in up to seven years in prison.