Georgia's revenue department is in full-swing trying to recoup individual and business back taxes. The state's top revenue official says the effort's already paying dividends.

Over the past couple of months, more than 1-million dollars have been recovered. That's come from a newly-hired crop of 40 agents targeting past-due accounts of individuals.

In addition, dozens of new auditors will soon begin going after 'back taxes' of companies.

Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham says the wave of new hiring is backed by more than 7-million dollars approved by the General Assembly:

"In each of these initiatives that have been funded, they all have been presented and committed to with a definable result - that we report to the General Assembly and the Governor on. And if they don't prove productive, then they'll be at risk of being terminated."

Graham says criticism of the department not doing enough to recover back taxes is misguided. He says technology is being upgraded, to boost the efficiency of revenue agents.

Tags: General Assembly, auditors, revenue department, businesses, Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham, back taxes, individuals, dividends