According to a Department of Justice press release, a Jefferson County, Alabama man will be spending more than two years in a federal prison for willfully filing a false tax return. This news serves as a reminder that when you lie on your tax return, whether it is intentional or not, you could go to jail. A large number of taxpayer’s view fibbing on their tax return as an action that will never be discovered and that there will be no repercussions, which simply isn’t the case.
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Tax Preparer Understated Income by More than $300,000
Court documents indicate that Larry Wayne Battle, a resident of Alabama, was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison. Battle was the owner-operator of a business that prepared tax returns for clients in Jefferson County. The Department of Justice alleged that on his tax return for the 2014 tax year, Battle intentionally understated his gross receipts by over $320,000.
The IRS estimated that Battle’s omission resulted in a tax loss of more than $160,000. To make matters worse, Battle admitted that he helped clients cheat on their taxes by filing false returns on their behalf. After Battle is released from federal prison, he will serve one year of supervised release. Finally, Battle was ordered to pay the IRS restitution of $234,300.
The IRS Does Not View Lying on Tax Returns as a Victimless Crime
Everyone knows someone who has left certain income off of their tax returns. It has become so common that the IRS has created software to help detect inconsistencies in a person’s tax return vs. other information obtained by the IRS. Some view understanding income or overstating deductions on a tax return as a victimless crime, but the IRS and Department of Justice could not disagree more.
Over the past decade, prosecutions for failing to file tax returns and for willfully engaging in tax fraud have increased. With IRS technological capabilities expanding, it is critical to seek the counsel of an experienced criminal tax defense attorney if you have fallen out of compliance with federal tax laws.
Contact an Experienced Tax Attorney Today
The tax and accounting professionals at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing have extensive experience representing taxpayers from all walks of life. Whether you are a business owner facing a sales and use tax audit or you have received notice that your individual return is being examined, our team of zealous advocates are standing by to help you develop a sound legal strategy that will keep your personal and financial interests at the forefront of importance. Do not lose sleep over the possibility of tax evasion or other tax-related charges from the IRS or state taxing authorities. Contact the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing today for a reduced-rate consultation.
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