§ 48-16-1 — Legislative findings, declarations, and intent

The General Assembly finds and declares that a public purpose is served by the waiver of tax penalties and criminal prosecution in return for the immediate reporting and payment of previously underreported, unreported, or unpaid tax liabilities. The General Assembly further finds and declares that the benefits gained through this program include, among other things, increased collection of certain currently owed taxes, permanently bringing into the tax system taxpayers who have been evading payment of taxes and providing an opportunity for taxpayers to satisfy tax obligations before stepped-up tax enforcement programs take effect. It is the intention of the General Assembly in enacting this chapter that the tax amnesty program provided under this chapter be a one-time occurrence which shall not be repeated in the future because taxpayers' expectations of any future amnesty programs could have a counterproductive effect on compliance under this chapter.