[rushpat]

An age-old problem



By Jim Sanders -- Sacramento Bee Capitol Bureau



Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, May 31, 2004



Next time you head out for an afternoon of antiquing, consider this.



The state loses out on roughly $6.5 billion a year in revenues because of tax scofflaws who either underreport their income, underpay taxes or deduct more than they are owed, according to a study by the state Franchise Tax Board.



One of the biggest offenders? Those dusty, musty shops full of one-man's-treasures. Among sole proprietors, the report found, antique dealers were the most prone to blow off paying or underreporting their taxes. Restaurants, used-car dealers, auto-repair businesses and landscaping firms were next in line.