THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 27, 2024 Page 17 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 fully support the current caseload of recipients. ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMPBELL’S YOUTH COUNCIL - Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced the creation of the first-ever Youth Council to advise her office about critical issues facing youth and help the council members build skills as leaders and advocates. The council would be comprised of 18 members between the ages of 14-18 from regions across the state. Supporters say the council will offer their perspective to help inform and advise the Attorney General’s Office on issues that affect them, including bias and discrimination, mental health, social media use, anti-bullying, school safety, environmental justice, gun violence prevention and government accountability. “Our young people are our next generation of leaders,” said Campbell. “Far too often, they are left out of conversations about issues that directly impact them. As a mother of two boys, I am fully committed to addressing the challenges facing our youth, and as your Attorney General, I’m proud to seek out young voices to inform our work in these spaces.” “I’m excited to be part of the … Youth Council because it provides me with a unique opportunity to learn how the Attorney General and state government address matters that are important to young people,” said Youth Council Member Victoria Mukiibi. “Through my past community involvement, I have come to appreciate the importance of youth engagement. I’m eager to collaborate with my peers to add our voices to the conversations that shape decisions that impact our communities.” TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM – The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) announced it will administer a tax amnesty program that will run from November 1 through December 30, 2024. The program was part of the fiscal 2025 budget approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Healey on July 29. “I urge individuals and businesses to take this opportunity to voluntarily pay their back taxes and interest beginning November 1,” said Geoffrey Snyder, Commissioner of Revenue. “The program is a significant step to help taxpayers come into compliance, including non-filers.” According to the DOR, the amnesty program will allow non-filers and taxpayers with outstanding tax liabilities to catch up on back taxes and save on penalties. The program aims to bring into compliance those taxpayers who have failed to file returns or have unpaid assessments. Taxpayers who meet certain criteria must request amnesty, file returns and pay outstanding tax and interest liabilities to have eligible penalties waived. Additionally, non-filers or individuals who failed to file required returns with DOR, may benefit from a three-year limited look-back period. For more information and details, go to https://www.mass. gov/info-details/massachusetts-tax-amnesty-2024?auHash=oXAm2BQH-FSu52XemaRx5FJMF0xALmEvxLj1gGTBEACON | SEE PAGE 18
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