Non-Filer Enforcement Project Continues
(Syracuse, NY- Feb. 5, 2010) New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Jamie Woodward recently announced that 18 individuals across the state have been arrested on tax evasion charges in coordinated enforcement actions with district attorneys.
The defendants have been charged with evading hundreds of thousands of dollars in state income taxes on millions in earnings by not filing tax returns over multiple years. Those arrested include Christopher Howe and Melanie Howe of North Syracuse.
Christopher Howe, 49, and Melanie Howe, 48, of 105 Walton Road, North Syracuse, each are charged with one felony count of Repeated Failure to File Personal Income Tax returns for tax years 2005 through 2007.
Christopher Howe is an independent contractor who worked for the Paul Fowler Construction Company, and Melanie Howe is an annuity underwriter at AXA Equitable.
After being notified of the department’s investigation, Christopher Howe and Melanie Howe filed returns indicating that they earned $365,091 over those three years and owed the state $14,370 in back taxes.
The couple will be arraigned in the City Court of Syracuse on February 5.
If found guilty, each faces up to four years in state prison.
The arrests continue the Tax Department’s statewide enforcement initiative targeting those who evade their tax obligations by not filing their state returns. To date 25 other non-filers have been arrested statewide in connection with this initiative.
“Tax evasion by non-filers is a major problem that costs the state hundreds of millions in tax revenues each year,” said Acting Commissioner Woodward. “Non-filers should be aware that the department is determined to investigate and prosecute this misconduct. Using enhanced technology and beefed-up enforcement resources, we will continue to bring these cases. We are fortunate to have the cooperation of district attorneys from across the state. In the past two years the number of income tax prosecutions initiated by the department has increased more than 360 percent.”
“Those delinquent taxpayers who are not yet under audit or investigation are encouraged to avoid penalties or criminal prosecution by participating in the department’s Voluntary Disclosure and Compliance Program. For more information about these programs, go to the department’s website at www.nystax.gov. It is hoped that today’s cases will encourage such taxpayers to come forward and satisfy their obligations.”
“Tax cheats steal from us all,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes. “My office takes tax evasion very seriously and prosecutes to the fullest extent of the law, realizing that without tax dollars there would be no public education, no law enforcement, and none of the other programs we rely on and hold dear. I would like to thank Acting Commissioner Woodward for her agency’s hard work and dedication to this pressing issue.”
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said, “The defendants are accused of attempting to shirk their civic and legal obligations by not paying their fair share of taxes. In these tough economic times when every tax dollar is being stretched to the limit to pay for essential government services, such conduct is unconscionable.”
“When people cheat on their taxes, every resident of New York State is a victim,” Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said. “At a time when families are struggling, it is imperative that everyone pay their fair share. My office is working to ensure that every one of these tax cheats is prosecuted for their crime and repays every nickel they stole.”
Acting Commissioner Woodward emphasized that these cases would not have moved forward without the assistance of District Attorneys from around the state. She wished to thank Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, New York County District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr., Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick, and Monroe County District Attorney Mike Green for their assistance in the prosecution of these cases.
All of the defendants in these cases are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
