States also eyeing UBS accounts

OK, it's just one state, Connecticut, right now.

But I suspect that officials in 49 other states and the District of Columbia soon will be looking to see if any of their residents had secret Swiss bank accounts.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (pictured at right) is leading the charge. His office wants to know if any Nutmeg State residents are among the 4,450 U.S. citizens who evaded taxes through offshore accounts with Swiss banking giant UBS.

The thinking is that as long as Uncle Sam is going to get his share, Connecticut should, too.

"UBS is naming names of tax evaders, and we have reason to believe Connecticut citizens are among them," Blumenthal said. "We will vigorously pursue them for unpaid taxes, including anyone who comes forward under the federal amnesty program."

In addition to touching base with his state colleagues in Connecticut's Department of Revenue Services, Blumenthal has written to U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., and the IRS asking for their cooperation in the effort to bring tax scofflaws to justice at the state level.

I can hear the keyboards clicking now as similar letters to D.C. are being drafted by tax commissioners and AGs nationwide.

Related posts:

• IRS to get 'most-wanted' Swiss accounts
• UBS deals sends wrong message
• Tax secrets are out … maybe