Pa. offers amnesty on unemployment benefits, taxes

Pennsylvania will offer an amnesty program June 1 through Aug. 31 to collect $613 million the state's Department of Labor and Industry is owed in unemployment benefits or taxes.

The program covers benefits paid or taxes owed before June 30, 2012. The amnesty covers 130,000 people, who were overpaid $356 million, either because of a mistake or because they submitted false information.

Those who submitted false information will only have to pay half of interest and penalties if they pay before Aug. 31.

Those who were overpaid through an error will only have to repay half the amount.

The amnesty also covers 50,000 employers who owe $257 million in back taxes. If they pay all of what they owe, they only have to pay half the interest and penalties due. Information is available at makeitright.pa.gov. - Jane M. Von Bergen