The Governor of Maine is proposing two more amnesty programs after the successful conclusion of a recent program.  Some are concerned about supporting another program just weeks after the other one ended, which waived about 90% of fees and penalties and brought in almost twice as much as expected.

The California State Board of Equalization (SBE) and Employment Development Department (EDD) announced a plan to give emergency tax relief to business and citizens in Santa Cruz, Ventura, Imperial, San Bernardino, Mariposa, Placer, Los Angeles, Monterey, and Yuba Counties due to the August 2009 fire.  The SBE will permit a one month extension to file sales and use taxes without any additional fees. More details can be found at http://www.boe.ca.gov/info/disaster_relief_faq.htm.

The Hawaii Department of Taxation’s “Tax Fresh Start Program” provides an opportunity for eligible individuals, businesses, and other taxpayers who either failed to file a tax return or who have underreported the amount of taxes owed, to voluntarily become tax compliant by paying the Hawaii taxes due for eligible tax periods during the program period running from May 27, 2009 through June 26, 2009. Taxpayers participating in the program will not be subject to any applicable penalties, will pay interest at a substantially reduced rate and will not be referred for criminal tax prosecution.