NorthWestern fined for late tax payment
Share
Tweet
June 21, 2018
NorthWestern Energy may be held liable for tax obligation penalties and fees for failing to meet the May 31 mailing deadline for this year’s first-round property taxes.
“We made a mistake, but are still liable for legal penalties,” NorthWestern Energy spokesman Butch Larcombe stated. “We take property tax obligations in each county very seriously.”
Larcombe stated that the tax payments were mailed out one day after the deadline. He reiterated that it was an honest mistake and “unfortunate for everyone involved.”
According to NorthWestern Energy, they are the largest property owner in Montana, and have paid $150 million in property taxes in 46 counties this year. Sanders County was paid $1.79 million of these funds. Larcombe commented that each county can assess a fine for tax payment delinquency.
Sanders County Treasurer Carol Turk stated that the county did assess a 2 percent penalty fee and charged NorthWestern an additional $36,350.41. “It has already been paid,” said Turk, and added that both taxes and late charges were paid one day late.
Larcombe commented that seperate from property taxes, NorthWestern Energy has received a federal tax cut of $14 million. The company is awaiting approval from Montana Public Service Commission on their proposal for allocating these funds.
If approved, the dollars will go back to fully reimburse natural gas customers for allowable fees they have been charged to cover NorthWestern’s property taxes. Here in Sanders County, electricity customers will see a partial refund of these charges and work on the ground, managing trees along powerline areas.
The energy company feels that maintaining these areas will save customers money in the long run, as repairing broken powerlines and dealing with the possibility of fires are more expensive in comparison. In addition, it is always frustrating when customers lose service. They feel taking precautionary measures now may decrease the likelihood of that happening in the future.
Reader Comments(0)