The Platte County Prosecuting Attorney’s office announced Tuesday that nearly a quarter million dollars from tax evaders was collected in 2014.

In a new release issued Tuesday, Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said those efforts will continue in 2015.

“No one likes paying taxes, but it’s the price we pay for living in civilized society,” said Zahnd “Those who try to avoid paying taxes simply shift the burden to law-abiding citizens. That’s wrong, and we will continue to go after tax cheats.”

Under Missouri law, the Missouri Department of Revenue can ask local prosecutors to pursue collection of back taxes. In some instances, people failed to file Missouri income tax forms reporting their income. In other situations, people filed tax forms but failed to pay all taxes owed.

The office collected $220,000 in 2014, just slightly higher than the $215,000 it collected in 2013.

Zahnd’s office said it works with delinquent taxpayers to make arrangements to pay back taxes, but it also has the power to issue wage garnishments and property seizures.

“We all know it has been a tough economy,” he said. “In light of that, we will allow people to enter into payment arrangements to pay their delinquent taxes, but no one has a right simply to refuse to pay lawfully-owed taxes.”

Chris Poepping, Zahnd’s office administrator, is in charge of collecting delinquent taxes for the office.

“In addition to her many other responsibilities, Ms. Poepping leads the way in collecting unpaid taxes, which will help fund Missouri’s schools, transportation projects, and every other taxpayer-funded initiative,” said Zahnd.