Five Johnston Taxpayers on RI's Lists Of Tax Delinquents

One Johnston resident and four businesses have been named to two online lists of RI's top 100 Tax Delinquents, owing the state a combined $760,000.

The list is the result of an amendment to a 2003 law allowing the top 100 lists of tax delinquents to be posted on the state Department of Revenue's website, according to Neil Downing, chief revenue agent for the department.

Cynthia L. Izzo, with a listed address of PO Box 92215, Johnston, was named to the top 100 most delinquent income taxpayers, owing $58,370.66.

The original law, RI General Law 44-1-34, allowed the DOR to post one list of the top 100, business and residential alike. It was amended over the summer and the amendment was signed by Gov. Lincoln Chafee on June 30, expanding the scope and number of lists the state can post.

(A .pdf summary is attached to this article).

"The new law splits the lists based on tax type," Downing said, allowing them to post a list of the top residential and top commercial tax delinquents.

There are four Johnston businesses on the commercial list, totaling $691,260.65:

Castle Equipment and Supply, Inc., 123 King Phillip St., $419,965.86

SO Shore Utility Contractors, Inc., 123 King Phillip St., $120,120.44

ROC Construction, Inc., 60 Dyerville Ave., $78,382.49

REC Construction, Inc., 60 Dyerville Ave., $72,791.86

The law appears to be effective.

"We think so," said Downing, adding that notices went to delinquent taxpayers in August warning them they would be on the list if they didn't pay or enter a payment plan.

Since then, about 145 taxpayers have paid $1.56 million to avoid going on the list.

"That, to me, is the most important aspect of these lists," Downing said.

Splitting the list into residential and commercial has also proven more effective, Downing said. During all of 2010, the tax delinquent list resulted in about $900,000 collected — the $1.56 million total is just the figure collected since August, Downing pointed out.

People and businesses on the list aren't stuck there.

“If a taxpayer does appear on the list, we stand ready to remove their name if they contact us and pay what they owe or take part in a reasonable installment agreement,” said state Tax Administrator David Sullivan.