LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Republican gubernatorial nominee Asa Hutchinson said he will pay $1,750 to Pulaski County for improperly claimed homestead tax credits from 2008, even though the statute of limitations has expired.
His statement came hours after Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mike Ross and the state Democratic Party chairman called on him to make the payment, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported (https://bit.ly/UB29U3 ).
Hutchinson claimed the tax credit in both Pulaski and Benton counties for tax years 2008 through 2011. State law allows the credit on only one home.
Hutchinson said he will pay $350 for the tax credit he improperly received in 2008, plus $1,400 in penalties ($350 per year), even though the statute of limitations has expired.
Joe D. Thompson, chief assessment administrator for the Pulaski County assessor’s office, said the GOP candidate told the office about two years ago that he had improperly claimed two tax credits and offered to repay $1,400, but Thompson could only accept $1,050 for tax years 2009-2011 because the statute of limitations for the 2008 credit had expired. He also said he didn’t penalize Hutchinson then, because he didn’t believe Hutchinson had intentionally broken the law.
People who claim two homestead tax credits have to return the money and pay a fine. But Arkansas law also says penalties cannot be imposed on wrongly claimed tax credits after three years.
Hutchinson said he’s “going the extra mile” to make sure there aren’t any lingering questions about how much he should have paid back to Pulaski County.
“I tried to do the right thing in 2012 and I am trying to do the same thing (Tuesday),” Hutchinson said.
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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, https://www.arkansasonline.com
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