Facing a big deficit, the state of Pennsylvania ran a spooky surveillance-style ad aimed at delinquent taxpayers. It ended with the tagline "Find Us Before We Find You."
The campaign was so successful it netted the state $261 million, Fast Company reported. After expenses, that was $55 million more than expected.
The ad showed a satellite zeroing in on a scofflaw's house, giving details like the location "just off 5th Street" and the exact amount owed— $4,212. "We can make this easy," says a robotic female voice that urges the delinquent taxpayer to pay up online. "We do know who you are."
The amnesty program ended in June and was quite the deal, offering to waive fines and take 50% off interest payments.
Gov. Ed Rendell said that starting this month, individuals and businesses who still owe back taxes could see their names posted on a state Web site. And he plans to use some of the extra cash from the amnesty program to hire 40 additional revenue agents to go after those outstanding millions.
You can bet governors of other cash-strapped states are watching.
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