Computer match of depositors, delinquent taxpayers OK’d in bill

Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a bill on Thursday that will authorize the use of computers to match depositor names with those of delinquent taxpayers.

The measure, contained in Senate Bill 136, requires Nevada Controller Kim Wallin to sign agreements with Nevada banks to establish computer systems for automatically matching the delinquent taxpayers with their bank accounts.

The system will match the names, Social Security numbers and taxpayer identification number of delinquent taxpayers with the names of depositors in Nevada banks, according to the new law.

Then, the state will withdraw the amount owed, plus any interest and penalty, from the delinquent taxpayers' bank account.

In the past, the state has sent paper lists for bankers to use to match delinquent taxpayers with depositors, Nevada Bankers Association Chief Executive Officer William Uffelman said.

The electronic data-matching program will be more efficient and cost-effective to run than the manual system, Uffelman said. However, the controller first must establish electronic connections to each bank's computer system platform, which often are different, he said.

Wallin didn't respond to a call for comment Thursday.

Observers compared the measure with a law that allows seizure of money from bank accounts of fathers for past-due child support payments and federal law that permits the Internal Revenue Service to take bank deposits to pay past-due federal income taxes.

The same bill contains unrelated measures governing bank real estate write-downs, retail trust companies and dormant property. The new allows the state to take money from dormant bank accounts after only two years, instead of three.

The state will surrender the money to the owner if notified but meanwhile gets free use of the money.

Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0420.