State Revenue Officials Probe Local Tax Backlog

Officials in Huntingdon County are investigating a reported year-long backlog of reports and inheritance taxes in the Register and Recorder’s office.

For the first time ever, state revenue officials told WJAC-TV that they are finalizing plans to assume duties of the Register of Wills office while the backlog is sorted out by officials from Harrisburg, who will set up office in the Huntingdon County courthouse.

“We’re going to take a look at the backlog mail and returns payments,” said Pennsylvania Deptartment of Revenue spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell. “We’ll start working through those and we will determine how long we will need to remain in the county to make sure that all of the paperwork and payment gets remitted to the commonwealth appropriately.”

A state revenue official met with county commissioners and Register and Recorder Janet Hanks Wednesday morning to discuss plans to sort through the backlog.

Hanks’ attorney told WJAC-TV over the phone that she’s faced inadequate space and staffing in the office for years.

Huntingdon County Commissioner Connie Kough Pittenger said several officials have relocated from the courthouse to a neighboring building to make room for expansion of the Register and Recorder and Prothonotary offices.

State revenue officials will set up a temporary office in the Huntingdon County courthouse Sept. 21 and are expected to remain for about two weeks to sort through the backlog.