Gov. Ed Rendell kicked off a final drive to get those owing back taxes to pay up today, saying if they do not take advantage of a tax amnesty program in the next 10 days the state will step up efforts to find and fine them.

"If you think you can get away with not paying, you're wrong," he said at a Downtown news conference this morning.

The state launched a tax amnesty effort in April, seeking to lure delinquent taxpayers with the offer of waiving all penalties and half of the interest owed on back taxes. The deadline for paying is midnight on June 18, and the state has raised $101 million of the $190 million expected.

When the state last offered tax amnesty 14 years ago 74 percent of the payments were made in the last two weeks of the program, Mr. Rendell said.

There are 138,000 Pittsburgh-area residents who still owe back taxes. Those who do not pay by the deadline will face an additional 5 percent penalty and increased enforcement efforts, including publishing all tax liens online, holding corporate officers accountable for taxes businesses owe and more frequently garnishing wages of those who owe.

Taxpayers can complete payment applications online at www.pataxpayup.com.

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