Santa Monica Businesses Among Top Tax Dodgers In State

SANTA MONICA, CA -- While the deadline to file your taxes is still a month away, the state of California has decided to shame some deadbeat taxpayers.

Every year, the state Board of Equalization publishes a list of the top businesses that are behind in their sales and use tax payments in the state, and four Santa Monica businesses are on the list.

In its list of the "Top 500 Sales and Use Tax Delinquencies," the BOE includes individuals as well as businesses that have not paid their taxes. Collectively these deadbeats owe the state more than $455 million in sales taxes.

The four businesses, and the amount they owe, are:

• 17TH STREET CAFE, INC., $ 825,190.35
• HEATHER ANN PERINI, $ 815,177.60
• BEVERLY BAGELS, INC. DBA 17TH STREET CAFE & BAKERY, $ 577,011.29
• CALIFORNIA AUTO EXPRESS, INC., $ 508,598.43

Since the list began with the top 250 delinquencies in 2007, $17.27 million has been collected from 237 taxpayers. The list has also been provided to participating state licensing agencies. Those on the list could have driver's and other professional licenses suspended until they pay the amount owed or enter into a payment plan with the BOE.

Delinquent taxpayers were notified about their delinquency 30 days before their names were placed on the list.

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