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Audit: State could do more to recover $552 million in taxes left unpaid over past 5 years

Related Topics: Tax, Audit

While Utah is getting better at collecting overdue taxes, a new audit says delinquent taxpayers still owe more than $552 million for the past five tax years.

One key reason that more is not recovered: the state laid off the equivalent of five collection agents because of budget cuts, according to a legislative audit released Tuesday.

The audit added that for every 2 cents spent on collection agents, the state tends to retrieve $1 in revenue.

“We recommend that the Legislature consider funding additional collection agents,” the audit says.

Scott W. Smith, interim executive director of the Utah State Tax Commission agrees.