Senate candidate Al Franken says he will pay about $70,000 in back income taxes in 17 states going back to 2003.The Minnesota Democrat has been under attack by Republicans for failing to file tax returns in California for several years when the comedian-turned-candidate earned money there.
Franken tells The Associated Press he never intended to avoid paying taxes. He says during the years in question, he paid his entire income tax bill to the city and state where he lived.
Franken says he did this on the advice of his accountant, but that he takes responsibility. Franken says that after he pays off the back taxes, he plans to file for credit on taxes overpaid in the city and state where he lived when he filed.