By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Kansas Department of Revenue has seized assets from San Juan Mexican Restaurant Inc. with locations in Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks and Pawnee counties.
On July 8, agents from the Department of Revenue accompanied by the Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks, Pawnee County Sheriff departments executed tax warrants.
They seized the assets of San Juan Mexican Restaurant Inc., Bernabe A Lopez, Magarita Lopez, Johnaton Lopez, Santiago Gutirrez, Bernabe K Lopez, David Serrato for nonpayment of sales tax and liquor drink tax totaling $301,031.29, according to information provided by the Department of Revenue.
The taxes owed included $238,449.93 in sales tax, $16,490.74 in liquor drink tax and $46,090.62 in income tax.
The warrants were filed in Russell, Scott, Thomas, Phillips, Rooks, Pawnee counties. The assets were seized at 9 a.m. at 740 E. Wichita Ave. in Russell, 1921 S. Range in Colby, 1213 S. Main St. in Scott City, 609 Third St. Phillipsburg, 711 S. Washington in Plainville and 421 W. 14th St. in Larned.
The types of assets seized include all known bank accounts, on-site cash, business inventory, as well as personal property belonging to the owner, according to the Department of Revenue. The business was sealed closed with a public notice posted on the outside. All seized assets will be sold at public auction, and the proceeds will pay for the delinquent taxes, the department said on its website.
KDOR’s policy and practice is to work with taxpayers in delinquent status to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements, the department said on its website. It is only after these efforts and multiple failed collection attempts that the department is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing such actions as bank levies, till taps and ultimately asset seizure to ensure compliance with the law, the department said.
KDOR’s responsibility to recover delinquent taxes not only ensures fairness for individuals and business owners who do pay their taxes but also ensures that money is lawfully collected to fund state and local programs on which Kansans depend. These programs include education, highways, public safety and human services, the department said.
Customers, employees, or others who may have items at the business may contact the agent assigned to this case at 316-337-6130.