Hart offers $12K to clear $600K tax debt

BOISE (AP) — A tax-protesting Idaho lawmaker is offering to pay $12,000 over five years to settle debts totaling more than a half-million dollars.

Rep. Phil Hart's proposal is part of his bid for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection. The northern Idaho Republican has listed about $600,000 in debt, with most of it owed to the Internal Revenue Service and Idaho State Tax Commission.

The Spokesman-Review reports Hart has offered to pay $200 a month for five years, and the repayment plan has drawn skepticism from at least one bankruptcy attorney with expertise in Chapter 13 cases.

David Gardner says Hart's offer is likely to draw objections from both the bankruptcy trustee and creditors when it gets a hearing in August.

Hart lost his bid for a fifth term in May's primary election.