California Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Crimes

According to a Department of Justice press release, a California businessman recently pleaded guilty to committing employment tax crimes after failing to remit withheld employment taxes. The IRS and Department of Justice are particularly sensitive about the withholding, accounting for, and remitting of payroll taxes. If you have failed to strictly comply with federal payroll tax laws, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced tax defense attorney to determine your potential exposure and determine a strategy to bring you into compliance.

If you recall from our previous reporting of this story, Larry Kudsk, of Berkeley, was the owner and operator of two construction businesses. Between 2015 and 2016, federal prosecutors alleged that the defendant failed to properly pay over federal income taxes that were withheld from his employees’ paychecks. The IRS and federal prosecutors estimate the defendant allegedly caused more than $250,000 of tax loss.

Kudsk’s sentencing has been scheduled for later this year. Kudsk faces up to five years in federal prison. Additionally, Kudsk may be ordered to serve a period of supervised release, to commence upon the completion of any term of physical imprisonment. Finally, the defendant will likely be ordered to pay restitution, representing the total amount of tax loss caused.

U.S. employers are required by federal tax law to withhold certain taxes from the paychecks of their employees. Deductions from the paychecks of American workers serve as the largest single source of tax revenue for the IRS. Thus, it should be no surprise that the IRS and the Department of Justice take violations of laws surrounding payroll tax withholding, accounting, and remittance incredibly seriously.

If you have failed to comply with payroll tax laws, failed to file a business or individual income tax return for one or more years, or have filed a false tax return containing understated income or overstated deductions, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced tax defense attorney. Working together, you will establish the critical facts of your case. Then, you will mutually agree on the next steps to bring you into tax compliance while attempting to minimize civil and criminal repercussions commonly observed in serious tax disputes.

Regardless of your business or estate needs, the professionals at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing are here for you. We are open for business and our team will help ensure that your business is too. Contact the Law Offices of David W. Klasing today to discuss your business with one of our professionals.

In addition to our main office in Irvine, the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing has unstaffed (conference room only) satellite offices in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Panorama City, Oxnard, San Diego, Bakersfield, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Carlsbad and Sacramento.

Our office technology allows clients to meet virtually via GoToMeeting. With end-to-end encryption, strong passwords, and top-rated reliability, no one is messing with your meeting. To schedule a reduced rate initial consultation via GoToMeeting follow this link. Call our office and request a GoToMeeting if you are an existing client.