Topeka ? The Kansas Department of Revenue is encouraging people with delinquent state tax bills to sign up for an amnesty program that will allow them to avoid paying penalties and interest.

The amnesty period runs from Sept. 1 through Oct. 15. Taxpayers with delinquent bills will be able to apply for the amnesty program starting in late August through the department’s website.

“The amnesty program allows taxpayers who have delinquent taxes to erase their debt without the added cost of the penalties and interest that might have been assessed,” Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan said.

The program applies to penalties and interest on tax debt accrued for tax periods ending on or before Dec. 31, 2013 and does not apply to matters that are in appeal.

The amnesty program was part of the budget and tax package that Kansas lawmakers approved this year. Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration is expecting it to generate about $30 million in revenue that otherwise might not have come in.

According to the Department of Revenue, the amnesty program can be applied to individual, corporate and fiduciary income taxes; privilege taxes; estate taxes; withholding and estimated taxes; state and local sales taxes or compensating use taxes; liquor enforcement and drink taxes; cigarette and tobacco products taxes; and mineral severance taxes.

Information about eligibility and answers to some frequently asked questions are available on the department’s tax amnesty website. An application form for the program will be available online at the end of August.