Kentucky Tax Amnesty Off as Governor, Lawmakers Point Fingers

A short-term tax amnesty approved by Kentucky lawmakers and projected to scoop $125 million into state coffers has been shelved, igniting a blame game between the GOP-controlled Legislature and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.

Republican legislators say the Department of Revenue is required to fund and administer a 60-day tax amnesty program before the end of the year under HB 8, a sweeping tax code overhaul the Legislature approved in 2022. Beshear initially vetoed the measure, but lawmakers overrode the governor’s rejection.

Legislative critics contend the revenue department essentially ignored the directive last year and has made no honest ...