Mayor Sharpe James and the City Council have a gift for Newark taxpayers. Yesterday, they announced a 30-day amnesty for those who owe $56 million in delinquent property and payroll taxes, water and sewer fees and parking lot expenses. Residents who pay outstanding charges before Dec. 31 will not have to pay penalties or interest, said Pamela E. Goldstein, a spokeswoman for the Mayor.
Ms. Goldstein said the money brought in by the amnesty would help offset Newark's recent financial setback in a tussle with the state. Late last year, the state laid claim to several million dollars from a tax on utility companies called the gross receipts tax, which had previously been paid to city government.