Four IHOP restaurants in tax trouble

BUFFALO, NY - The bankrupt operator of four western New York IHOP restaurants has bought more time to resolve tax bills with state and federal officials.

Bankruptcy Court Judge Carl Bucki gave owners of Pancake Partners LLC two weeks to resolve the matter.

The company owes more than $53,000 in state sales tax revenues to the state Department of Taxation and Finance. They filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

In addition the Internal Revenue Service filed claims the company owes about $439,000 in withholding and Social Security taxes.

Pancake Partners LLC operates IHOPs in North Buffalo, Cheektowaga and Orchard Park, plus one in Rochester. The restaurants remain open for business. Another area IHOP, on Maple Road in Amherst, is not owned by Pancake Partners and is not part of the case.

The four restaurants risk shutting their doors if an agreement cannot be reached with the state and IRS.