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IRS

Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams As the holiday shopping season begins, the IRS reminds everyone that it’s not just your credit card balance you need to watch — it’s also your personal information. As part of its ninth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week, the IRS is warning taxpayers about a rise in holiday scams.  The scammers aren’t interested in gifts under your tree; they’re after your Social Security number and financial information instead. Here’s how scammers are getting creative—and how you can stay safe: Phishing Emails: Be wary of emails pretending to be from reputable retailers, shipping companie…
IT Manager Who Used Low-Tech Hack to Embezzle $2M From CT Business Headed to Prison: Feds IT Manager Who Used Low-Tech Hack to Embezzle $2M From CT Business Headed to Prison: Feds
IT Manager Who Used Low-Tech Hack to Embezzle $2M From CT Business Headed to Prison: Feds A Connecticut man will spend two years in federal prison after stealing nearly $2 million from his employer and dodging hundreds of thousands in taxes over a seven-year scheme, authorities said. Evan Bobzin, 39, of Chester, was sentenced to 24 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, after admitting to embezzling $1.9 million from Hoffman’s Gun Center in Newington, where he worked as head of information technology, according to the US Attorney for Connecticut. Prosecutors said Bobzin used his insider access to methodically steal cash receipts from the store's safe …
Danbury Business Owner Sent to Prison For Evading Taxes On $1.5M In Earnings: Feds Danbury Business Owner Sent to Prison For Evading Taxes On $1.5M In Earnings: Feds
Danbury Business Owner Sent to Prison For Evading Taxes On $1.5M In Earnings: Feds A Connecticut business owner will spend seven months behind bars after he admitted to cheating the federal government out of the income tax on nearly $1.5 million in earnings, authorities said.  Bill G. Makros, 58, of Danbury in Fairfield County, pleaded guilty to tax evasion during the summer and was sentenced on Tuesday, Nov. 12, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Along with his prison term, he must also pay the federal government $137,672 in restitution.   Makros, who owned Budget Tree and Stump Removal Service, LLC in Danbury, asked customers to write checks for the co…
Woman Who Pocketed $1.4M In Unpaid Business Taxes Gets 19 Months In Prison: Feds Woman Who Pocketed $1.4M In Unpaid Business Taxes Gets 19 Months In Prison: Feds
Woman Who Pocketed $1.4M In Unpaid Business Taxes Gets 19 Months In Prison: Feds A Connecticut businesswoman who admitted to withholding more than $1 million in payroll taxes to spend on her mortgage, home repairs, and casino trips will spend more than a year and a half behind bars, authorities announced.  Michelle Ann Gilson, 38, of Guilford in New Haven County, was sentenced this week to 19 months in prison followed by three years of probation, and she must pay the IRS more than $1.4 million in restitution, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  Gilson co-owned and co-operated B&M Package Solutions, Inc. and formerly owned and operated Epic Empirez,…
Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From CT 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From CT 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds
Man Admits To Embezzling $2M From CT 'Good Guy' Gun Store: Feds A Connecticut man faces more than a decade in prison after he admitted to stealing over $2 million from his former employer, authorities said.  Middlesex County resident Evan Bobzin, age 39, of Chester, pleaded guilty to interstate transmission of stolen money and tax evasion, the US Attorney General for Connecticut said.  Bobzin worked as the head of information technology at Hoffman’s Gun Center in the Hartford County city of Newington. The store also goes by the name Hoffman’s Guns For The Good Guys. The prosecutor said Bobzin stole cash from the 2686 Berlin Turnpike…
CT Dentist Gets Prison Time For Tax Evasion: Ordered To Pay Over $240K To IRS CT Dentist Gets Prison Time For Tax Evasion: Ordered To Pay Over $240K To IRS
CT Dentist Gets Prison Time For Tax Evasion: Ordered To Pay Over $240K To IRS A 66-year-old dentist from Connecticut will spend time in prison for failing to file federal income tax returns for several years, officials announced. New London County resident Boulos Hanna of East Lyme, also known as "Paul Hanna," was sentenced on Wednesday, March 6 to ten months in prison for tax evasion, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Hanna owns New London-based dental practice Paul Hanna DMD PC and accepts fees from patients in personal checks, cash, and credit card payments. He also owns the building…
Out-Of-State Tax Preparer Set Up Shop In Connecticut To File False Returns Out-Of-State Tax Preparer Set Up Shop In Connecticut To File False Returns
Out-Of-State Tax Preparer Set Up Shop In Connecticut To File False Returns A Florida tax preparer who flew to Connecticut every year to work on people's federal returns will spend next year's tax season behind bars, authorities said on Tuesday, May 30.  Keyante Paul, age 34, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison after she pleaded guilty in February to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Paul ran Keys Tax Services and would set up shop in the New London County town of Norwich each year to prepare tax returns for clients that included false "adjustments," which reduced what the …
Westport Investment Advisor Gets Jail Time: Did Not Report $1.4M To IRS, Feds Say Westport Investment Advisor Gets Jail Time: Did Not Report $1.4M To IRS, Feds Say
Westport Investment Advisor Gets Jail Time: Did Not Report $1.4M To IRS, Feds Say An investment advisor from Fairfield County will spend time in prison after failing to report more than $1.4 million in income to the IRS, federal officials said.  Westport resident Thomas Pacilio, age 64, was sentenced on Thursday, April 13 to six months in prison for omitting around $1,476,425 in profits in income tax returns between 2015 and 2018, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.  Earlier Report - Westport Investment Advisor Failed To Report $1.4M In Profits To IRS, Feds Say According to federal officials, in 2011, Pacilio a…
Westport Investment Advisor Failed To Report $1.4M In Profits To IRS, Feds Say Westport Investment Advisor Failed To Report $1.4M In Profits To IRS, Feds Say
Westport Investment Advisor Failed To Report $1.4M In Profits To IRS, Feds Say An investment advisor from Fairfield County is being accused of failing to report more than $1.4 million in profits to the IRS, federal authorities announced. Thomas Pacilio, age 64, of Westport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty on Thursday, Jan. 5 to a federal tax offense, Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, said. According to court documents and statements made in court: In 2011, Pacilio and his partner started Clapboard Hill …
Woman Who Owns Fairfield County Grocery Store Sentenced For $400K Tax Offense Woman Who Owns Fairfield County Grocery Store Sentenced For $400K Tax Offense
Woman Who Owns Fairfield County Grocery Store Sentenced For $400K Tax Offense An owner of a Fairfield County grocery store was sentenced for a tax fraud offense that caused the IRS a loss of more than $400,000. Lizbel Sanchez, of Brookfield, was sentenced on Tuesday, Oct. 18, to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $400,000 fine, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Sanchez pleaded guilty on April 14 to one count of willful failure to collect or pay over taxes, Avery reported. Earlier report - Woman Who Operates A C-Town In Danbury Admits To Failure To Pay Taxes Sanchez is a minority owner…
Fairfield County Tax Return Preparer Sentenced For Filing Fraudulent Returns For Her Clients Fairfield County Tax Return Preparer Sentenced For Filing Fraudulent Returns For Her Clients
Fairfield County Tax Return Preparer Sentenced For Filing Fraudulent Returns For Her Clients A tax return preparer from Fairfield County was sentenced for filing fraudulent tax returns for many of her clients. Torise Baker, age 39, of Bridgeport, was sentenced on Tuesday, Aug. 2, to three months in prison followed by a year of supervised release, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. She pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent income tax returns on March 21, Avery said. According to the announcement, Baker was also ordered to pay $112,956 in resti…
CT Woman Whose Business Prepared Taxes Sentenced For Filing False Returns CT Woman Whose Business Prepared Taxes Sentenced For Filing False Returns
CT Woman Whose Business Prepared Taxes Sentenced For Filing False Returns A woman from Connecticut whose business prepared tax returns for thousands of people will spend time behind bars and pay more than $500,000 in restitution for filing false returns, federal authorities announced. New Haven County resident Ana Nunez, also known as Ana Pagoda, age 51, of Naugatuck, was sentenced in Hartford to 36 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for filing false tax returns for clients of her tax preparation service. US Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said that between 2011 and 2016, Nunez owned and operated Nunez MultiServices, a tax return prepa…
CFO Of CT-Based Company Admits To Embezzling $433K CFO Of CT-Based Company Admits To Embezzling $433K
CFO Of Ct-based Company Admits To Embezzling $433K A former Chief Financial Officer in Connecticut admitted to embezzling nearly $500,000 from his company through a scheme to steal funds from his employer, federal authorities announced. Hartford County resident David McManus, age 56, of Granby, pleaded guilty in Bridgeport federal court to fraud and tax offenses stemming from his embezzlement of funds from his former company. US Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said that McManus was the CFO for a Hartford-based company for nearly 14 years.  Between 2012 and 2018, McManus admitted to embezzling approximately $433,584 from the company by…
CT Business Owner Admits Failing To Pay Taxes CT Business Owner Admits Failing To Pay Taxes
CT Business Owner Admits Failing To Pay Taxes A Connecticut business owner admits that he failed to pay nearly $900,000 in taxes and used company funds for personal expenses. New Haven County resident Christopher Jardine, age 55, of Guilford, appeared in federal court in Bridgeport Friday, April 29, where he pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to pay over withholding taxes, according to the US Attorney’s Office. Federal prosecutors said between 2016 and 2019, Jardine failed to collect and pay over the federal income and Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes that were withheld from employees’ paychecks at his Branfo…
CT Man Found Guilty Of Failing To Pay Taxes On $950K In Income CT Man Found Guilty Of Failing To Pay Taxes On $950K In Income
CT Man Found Guilty Of Failing To Pay Taxes On $950K In Income A Connecticut attorney was convicted of failing to pay taxes on about $950,000 in income. Deron Freeman, a resident of Glastonbury in Hartford County, was found guilty on Monday, April 18, of three counts of making and subscribing a false tax return and four counts of failure to pay income tax, according to Leonard Boyle, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Freeman, age 47, owned a law office in Hartford, where he primarily practiced in the areas of personal injury and criminal law, Boyle said.  The US Attorney's Office said Freeman fell "severely behind" in p…
IRS May Charge Penalty If You're In One of These Categories, Report Says IRS May Charge Penalty If You're In One of These Categories, Report Says
IRS May Charge Penalty If You're In One of These Categories, Report Says Some Americans may find unexpected items in their mailbox as the IRS levies certain tax penalties against them if they find themselves in one of several categories, according to a new report. According to fool.com, individual taxpayers, business owners, and those who entrust their finances to others could face potential penalties for these infractions: Individual Taxpayers Failure to file: A penalty is levied for those who fail to file their taxes each year; Failure to pay: Those who owe the IRS money after filing and fail to pay may also be financially dinged; Inaccurate return: Those w…
Fairfield County Man Admits To Underpayment Of $500K In Income Taxes Fairfield County Man Admits To Underpayment Of $500K In Income Taxes
Fairfield County Man Admits To Underpayment Of $500K In Income Taxes A Fairfield County business owner is facing federal prison time after admitting to underpaying more than $500,000 in income taxes. Bethel resident Timothy P. Draper, age 54, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion Monday, April 18 in Hartford federal court. Prosecutors said Draper failed to deposit numerous checks into his landscaping and rental business accounts, resulting in underreporting approximately $1.8 million on his tax returns between 2015 and 2017. Draper was also accused of paying personal expenses out of the business accounts and failing to categorize the payments as inco…
Where's My Refund? IRS Facing Staff Shortages Amid Backup In Processing Tax Returns Where's My Refund? IRS Facing Staff Shortages Amid Backup In Processing Tax Returns
Where's My Refund? IRS Facing Staff Shortages Amid Backup In Processing Tax Returns With the 2022 tax season coming to its conclusion, the IRS is cautioning that some Americans could see delays in receiving their refunds as the agency deals with a staffing shortage and backlog of unprocessed returns. IRS Commission Chuck Rettig acknowledged that his organization is contending with issues and the continued fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to lead to some receiving their returns later than expected. Original story - Here's How Long It Should Take To Get A Tax Refund After Filing, IRS Says “The IRS is serving more people and entities in a global environmen…
Woman Who Operates A C-Town In Fairfield County Admits To Failure To Pay Taxes Woman Who Operates A C-Town In Fairfield County Admits To Failure To Pay Taxes
Woman Who Operates A C-Town In Fairfield County Admits To Failure To Pay Taxes The owner of a grocery store in the region admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the government through a federal tax fraud scheme. Fairfield County resident Lizbel Sanchez, also known as Lizbel Diaz, age 47, of Brookfield, the co-owner of a C-Town location in Danbury, pleaded guilty to a federal tax offense. US Attorney Leonard Boyle said that Sanchez, a minority owner of Danbury Food Corp., which operates a C-Town grocery store in the city, was responsible for the company’s accounting and financial records, as well as collecting and paying federal taxes from some empl…
Operator Of Company In Fairfield County Sentenced For Tax Evasion Operator Of Company In Fairfield County Sentenced For Tax Evasion
Operator Of Company In Fairfield County Sentenced For Tax Evasion The operator of a Fairfield County business has been sentenced for tax evasion. Robert Porzio, age 48, of Westport, was sentenced on Monday, April 4, to 12 months and one day in prison followed by a year of supervised release, according to Leonard Boyle, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Porzio was also ordered to pay a $25,000 fine. He pleaded guilty on Dec. 16. Porzio, who operates Bert’s Tree Service, Inc., deposited a number of customers’ checks into personal bank accounts, and he transferred a significant amount of the money into a personal investment account, B…
Here's How Long It Should Take To Get A Tax Refund After Filing, IRS Says Here's How Long It Should Take To Get A Tax Refund After Filing, IRS Says
Here's How Long It Should Take To Get A Tax Refund After Filing, IRS Says With tax season rapidly approaching, many Americans have started filing and are now anxiously awaiting their refund check from the IRS. Despite facing a backlog and staffing issues due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, most Americans can expect their refund checks to arrive within weeks of filing their taxes, according to officials. Once filed, the IRS said that Americans can expect their refund money to arrive within 21 days, pending certain delays. The cash can also be tracked approximately 24 hours after filing through the IRS website. Where’s My Refund? According to the IRS, in 2022, …
CT Man Charged With Tax Fraud, Obstruction, ID Theft Offenses CT Man Charged With Tax Fraud, Obstruction, ID Theft Offenses
CT Man Charged With Tax Fraud, Obstruction, ID Theft Offenses A Connecticut man is facing a host of federal charges for alleged tax fraud, obstruction, and identity theft offenses, officials announced. Tolland County resident David Kamal, age 60, of Stafford, formerly of Hebron, was charged in an 11-count indictment and will face years in prison if found guilty, US Attorney Leonard Boyle announced. Specifically, Kamal was charged with: Two counts of tax evasion; Four counts of filing a false tax return; Obstruction; Four counts of unlawful use of a means of identification. It is alleged that Kamal evaded taxes for the 2012 and 2013 tax years by fil…
CT Business Owner Sentenced For Filing False Federal Income Tax Returns CT Business Owner Sentenced For Filing False Federal Income Tax Returns
CT Business Owner Sentenced For Filing False Federal Income Tax Returns A Connecticut business owner will spend time behind bars after admitting to filing false tax returns. Hartford County resident George Lee, age 51, of Glastonbury, who operates USA Paving has been sentenced to six months in prison followed by a year of supervised release after pleading guilty in July 2021 to one count of filing a false tax return. In addition to his prison time, Lee also was ordered to pay a $5,500 fine. US Attorney Leonard Boyle said that between 2015 and 2018, Lee provided his tax return preparer with information that substantially understated the gross receipts for the p…
Here's Who Will Be Eligible For $5,000 Stimulus Checks Here's Who Will Be Eligible For $5,000 Stimulus Checks
Here's Who Will Be Eligible For $5,000 Stimulus Checks It is unlikely that the federal government will distribute a fresh round of stimulus checks to most Americans again, but some will qualify for some financial assistance in 2022. During the COVID-19 pandemic, eligible Americans received as many as three stimulus checks to help them ride out the pandemic, though a fourth is unlikely, outside of a specific group. Parents who gave birth to a child in 2021 will be eligible for a 2022 stimulus check of up to $1,400, similar to the third round that was issued in March last year. Eligible new parents who inform the IRS they had a baby — or babies …
CT Resident Who Embezzled From Family Company Admits To Tax Evasion CT Resident Who Embezzled From Family Company Admits To Tax Evasion
CT Resident Who Embezzled From Family Company Admits To Tax Evasion A Connecticut man is facing prison time after admitting to embezzling from his family’s company over the course of several years, federal officials announced. New Haven County resident Matthew Blackwell, age 40, of Woodbridge, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty in federal court before US District Judge Sarah Merriam to one count of tax evasion. Acting US Attorney Leonard Boyle said that Blackwell was the Vice President of Operations at a family-owned food company based in the Town of Orange.  Between 2012 and 2016, Blackwell embezzled $927,143 from the company by crea…
Here's What Group Of People Will Get A Federal Stimulus Check In 2022 Here's What Group Of People Will Get A Federal Stimulus Check In 2022
Here's What Group Of People Will Get A Federal Stimulus Check In 2022 It is unlikely that the federal government will distribute a fresh round of stimulus checks to most Americans again, but some will qualify for some financial assistance in 2022. During the COVID-19 outbreak, eligible Americans received as many as three stimulus checks to help them ride out the pandemic, though a fourth is unlikely, outside of a specific group. Parents who gave birth to a child in 2021 will be eligible for a 2022 stimulus check of up to $1,400, similar to the third round that was issued in March. Eligible new parents who inform the IRS they had a baby — or babies — when th…
CT Woman Failed To Report $855K Withdrawal From Business, Feds Charge CT Woman Failed To Report $855K Withdrawal From Business, Feds Charge
CT Woman Failed To Report $855K Withdrawal From Business, Feds Charge A 58-year-old Connecticut woman has pleaded guilty to withdrawing about $855,000 from her home cleaning business and failing to report the proceeds on her tax forms. Kathryn Pocock, of New London County, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion on Wednesday, Sept. 15, according to Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut Leonard Boyle.  Investigators found that Pocock, a resident of Uncasville, withdrew the funds from Sunshine Cleaners, LLC, between 2015 and 2019, and failed to report them on tax forms for the business and on her federal income tax returns, …
COVID-19: Alert Issued For Child Tax Credit Payment Scams COVID-19: Alert Issued For Child Tax Credit Payment Scams
Covid-19: Alert Issued For Child Tax Credit Payment Scams Opportunistic fraudsters have taken advantage of some consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic, this time targeting child tax credit payments that have been sent out to assist families. The IRS recently issued an alert after it began sending tens of millions of dollars to families, though scammers have been attempting to pull a fast one over on some to steal thousands of dollars in federal benefits. According to the IRS, scammers have been reaching out to families using emails, text messages, and through social media, asking to verify personal information to receive the child tax credit payme…
Trump Organization, CFO Charged With 15 Felonies For Alleged Years-Long Tax Scheme Trump Organization, CFO Charged With 15 Felonies For Alleged Years-Long Tax Scheme
Trump Organization, CFO Charged With 15 Felonies For Alleged Years-Long Tax Scheme The Trump Organization and its longtime CFO Allen Weisselberg have been charged with 15 felony counts in an effort to evade taxes over the course of 15 years, according to a newly unsealed indictment released in federal court. Weisselberg, who is accused of evading nearly $2 million in taxes, surrendered to Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. on Thursday, July 1, and pleaded not guilty to felony charges that include criminal tax fraud, conspiracy, and falsifying business records. He was released following the court appearance, though his passport had to be surrendered to the court. The charges rep…
NY Prosecutors Inform Trump Organization It Could Face Criminal Charges In Days NY Prosecutors Inform Trump Organization It Could Face Criminal Charges In Days
NY Prosecutors Inform Trump Organization It Could Face Criminal Charges In Days The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has informed lawyers for the Trump Organization that it could be facing criminal charges as soon as next week. According to reports, charges stemming from allegations of tax evasion over compensation paid out to top executives could be filed as soon as Monday, June 28. Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization CFO could also face charges next week as he faces scrutiny for benefits he received, including a company-funded apartment and car. Attorney Ron Fischetti said that lawyers for the Trump Organization met with prosecutors on Thursday, June 24. …
COVID-19: Letter From White House With Stimulus Payment Info Not A Scam, IRS Says COVID-19: Letter From White House With Stimulus Payment Info Not A Scam, IRS Says
Covid-19: Letter From White House With Stimulus Payment Info Not A Scam, IRS Says Americans who received a stimulus check during the COVID-19 pandemic can expect to see a letter coming in the mail from President Joe Biden. The IRS wants consumers to know that letters coming from the White House bearing Biden’s name and signature are not part of a scheme, and are filled with tax information on COVID-19 stimulus payments. Recently, the IRS has been issuing letters from the White House outlining how much money was issued for stimulus payments and providing a website to obtain more information. The letters are written on White House stationery with Biden’s signature on the …