Tax crime doesn’t pay — coverage of tax fraud, evasion, and financial crime prosecutions, and what they mean for the rest of us.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Jonathan P. Wiktorchik, a Bucks County chiropractor, has been charged with lying to the IRS and arson yesterday in a March 2008 fire. The fire destroyed his office and neighboring businesses. At the time of the fire, Wiktorchik implicated a gang. He said that he was attacked by Spanish-speaking…
Update: We have a winner! It’s Marc! For the answer, see the comments! It’s our last tax trivia question for the giveaway! Thanks to CCH Complete Tax for the free software! For the chance to win the last prize, answer the following question: Everybody knows that the feds finally got Al Capone for tax evasion….
The massive tax shelter schemes orchestrated by four ex-partners at the accounting firm of Ernst & Young continue to make news, long after their convictions. In fact, one of the questions that I see most at “ask the taxgirl” is whether I’ve heard any news about those who were convicted last May. My answer, some…
Today, we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. I’m working on a post about service. But in the meantime, I am reposting something that I wrote around this time last year. It remains one of my favorite posts. Enjoy! — I’ll be frank. I don’t always love being a lawyer. When I was…
This tax season, Penny Lea Jones won’t be preparing tax returns if the feds have their way. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge has issued a preliminary injunction barring Jones from preparing federal income tax returns for taxpayers while a lawsuit against her proceeds. The lawsuit is one of seven such actions filed by the…
A federal judge has declined Bradley Birkenfeld’s request for leniency. Birkenfeld must report to prison on Friday, January 8, as scheduled, to serve his 40-month prison term. Birkenfeld pleaded guilty last year to helping many of his clients, including billionaire Igor Olenicoff, evade taxes. Olenicoff pleaded guilty in 2007 to filing a false tax return;…
Taxpayer asks: First, what is the next step after a Lien has been placed on someone and second is there somewhere that you can see if someone is being indicted? Thank you in advance.. Taxgirl says: Your question is really two separate questions, so I’ll answer them separately. With respect to a tax lien, I’m…
Taxpayer asks: 3 years ago I worked for a company and was W2’d, I quit after 3 months. And just yesterday the IRS sent me a notice tht I owed them $4200. I have never owed $ to anyone or have been late on anything in my life so I was shocked, I called them…
Taxpayer asks: How does someone turn someone else in to the IRS for tax evasion? Taxgirl says: There must be something in the water. I’ve received a couple of these types of inquiries lately, so I’m planning to answer a few of them over the next few days. You’re up first. Reporting tax fraud is…
What would it take for you to turn in your clients? Would 30% of the take do it? What if it meant jail time? These are all things that Bradley Birkenfeld must have considered before approaching the IRS two years ago to turn in tax cheats at UBS. And he did it anyway. Now, Birkenfeld…