LINCOLN - In 1789, the American statesman Ben Franklin famously wrote that, in this world, “nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

But in Nebraska, the latter doesn’t seem so certain anymore, Auditor Mike Foley said Monday. Nebraska residents and businesses now owe the state $310.66 million in unpaid income, sales, and withholding taxes, Foley’s office reported Monday, marking a $41 million jump from last year and $171 million from a decade ago.

“I fear that word may be getting out that people essentially know, ‘They’ll put you on a list, but so what? You don’t have to pay,’” Foley said Monday. “You can’t escape death. But you might be able to escape your taxes. And that’s a bad message to give to people.”

The state’s $310.66 million delinquent tax balance is 15% higher than it was a year ago ($269.52 million) and is up nearly $100 million from 2021, when state residents and companies owed $212.41 million in unpaid taxes.

For the full article, click HERE.