We represent clients from all U.S. and International locations regarding Federal Tax and California Issues.
According to a Department of Justice press release, a California CEO recently pleaded guilty to failing to properly pay over employment taxes as required by law. This story should remind taxpayers who have an obligation to pay over employment taxes that the IRS has increased its enforcement efforts over the past year. Additionally, the IRS has historically criminally targeted taxpayers who have not complied with employment tax obligations. If you have failed to properly account for or pay over employment taxes for one or more years, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced employment tax defense attorney to discuss your options to get right with the government before you are the target of an audit, eggshell audit, reverse egg shell audit or criminal tax investigation or face criminal tax charges.
Court records reveal that Michael Todd Lucas was the CEO of i3 Brands, Inc, a software development business. As part of his role as CEO, Lucas had control over the company and thus, had a legal obligation to ensure that employment taxes were properly accounted for and paid over to the IRS. Lucas admitted that he withheld amounts from employees’ paychecks but did not pay over such withholdings to the IRS. Instead, he used the funds to pay for his own personal expenses. Lucas admitted that between 2008 and 2017, he was responsible for failing to pay over $4.9 million in payroll taxes, penalties, and interest.
Lucas will be sentenced later this fall. In addition to facing up to five years in prison, he also can be sentenced to a period of supervised release to commence upon the completion of his physical incarceration. Lastly, Lucas will likely be ordered to pay restitution to the IRS, representing the tax loss that he caused the government.
As we have attempted to impress upon our readers in previous stories and articles, the IRS and state taxing authorities take employment-related taxes very seriously. Tax authorities receive most of the tax revenue paid by wage-earners through withholding mechanisms. When a taxpayer fails to properly withhold, account for, and pay over such amounts, the ability of the IRS to efficiently collect tax revenue is threatened. Because of the increased ability to disrupt the tax collection process, employment-related tax crimes are often prosecuted swiftly and can carry severe consequences.
If you have failed to properly withhold payroll-related taxes, account for such amounts, and pay over withholdings to the IRS, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced tax attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options. Together, you and your seasoned tax attorney will identify areas of exposure and collectively determine the best course of action to come into compliance.
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. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff are working from home, but have full virtual meeting capability.
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.
