Clear Channel Cuts Check in Tax Dispute

Clear Channel has paid the city of Covington, Ky., $196,000, according to the Kentucky Post.
The city had sued the broadcaster in March in circuit court, saying it was owed net profit taxes since 1999. The check represented about $129,600 in back taxes, plus penalties and interest. “It closes out the lawsuit,” the city finance director told the newspaper.
“Officials from Clear Channel, which maintains an office in Covington, did not say why the company had not made the tax payments, which ceased after Clear Channel bought Jacor Communications in 1999,” it reported.
The city is also pursuing a tax amnesty program, although it said the Clear Channel matter was unrelated.
“What happened with Clear Channel is a good prelude to enforcement because we’re going to make every effort to contact (taxpayers) and have them voluntarily comply, but if we can’t we’re going to use whatever methods we have available to us to ensure compliance,” the city finance director said.