Rapper DMX’s Income Tax Payments are MIA

DMX, the recording star and actor, whose real name is Earl Simmons, surrendered to federal authorities after being charged with 14 counts of tax-related criminal charges totaling $1.7 million in tax liabilities.

It’s alleged that Simmons avoided using his personal bank accounts, and instead used the accounts of other individuals, including his business manager and lived mostly on cash. According to the indictment, Simmons earnings from 2002 through 2005 went unpaid. Authorities say he listed his income in 2011 and 2012 as “unknown”, when he actually made $353,000 in 2011 and
$542,000 in 2012. On his 2013 tax return, he reported earning $10,000 of income when in reality he earned $250,000 that year. In total for the years 2010 to 2015 Simmons earned over $2.3 million.

Simmons appeared on the TV show “Celebrity Couples Therapy” and was paid $125,000, but refused the first installment check as taxes were withheld. He went to the producer of the show and demanded a new check for the full amount, which he got.

If convicted on all counts, Simmons could face a maximum of 44 years in prison, plus monetary penalties and restitution to the IRS.

David J. Simard, of Maryland, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court of one count of obstructing the lawful functions of the Internal Revenue Service and four counts of failing to file personal and corporate income tax returns.

Simard, a real estate flipper, received a notice from the IRS that he needed to supply documents in connection with an audit of his personal tax returns. In less than one month after receiving this notice, Simard formed the Pegasus Home Corporation and started buying and selling houses in the name of the corporation instead of his own. Simard claimed that the ownership and control of Pegasus was his relative and had this relative apply for an employer identification number for Pegasus. Simard also had this relative open a bank account in the name of the Pegasus Corporation. Despite earning income, Simard did not file personal or corporate tax returns for 2009 and 2010.

Simard will be sentenced on October 12 th and faces a maximum of three years in prison for obstructing the IRS and one year in prison for each count of failure to file tax return, as well as restitution and monetary penalties.

On September 29, 2017, President Trump signed the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017 into law. This tax relief initiative is designed to provide certain tax benefits for victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. The legislation also contains provisions extending the funding authorizations for the Federal Aviation Administration, the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians.

Targeted Tax Relief for Those Hardest Hit

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria caused hundreds of deaths either directly or indirectly and are estimated to cost hundreds of billions of dollars in economic impact and rebuilding costs. The most important tax provisions of the new law include the following:
• Taxpayers no longer must itemize deductions to take advantage of tax relief initiatives.
• The Disaster Tax Relief legislation also eliminates the requirement that losses must constitute 10 percent of the adjusted gross income of victims of these hurricanes.
• Taxpayers will be allowed to use their earned income from 2016 to figure their Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit for 2017.
• Victims of these hurricanes will be allowed to access funds in their retirement accounts to pay for disaster-related expenses without tax penalties.
• Charitable contributions related to hurricane relief before December 31, 2017, will not be subject to the current limits on tax deductions for these donations.
• Employers in hard-hit areas will receive a tax credit of up to 40 percent of the wages paid to employees during the duration of the crisis. This can add up to as much as $6,000 per employee for companies affected by these serious storms.

The new law is expected to provide significant tax relief for those most severely affected by the hurricanes and to provide economic support for families and businesses rebuilding in the aftermath of these natural disasters.

The Law Offices of Daniel M. Silvershein can help families determine their tax liabilities and can provide expert advice and guidance on the financial implications of this new legislation. We have more than two decades of experience in the federal and state tax field and can ensure that your case is resolved quickly and to your satisfaction. If you are currently facing financial difficulties or problems with the IRS, call us today at 888-382-7880 to schedule a free initial consultation. We are here to help you and your family.

A North Carolina resident is facing serious penalties for filing fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service. Hassie Demond Nowlin was sentenced to 37 months in prison on November 16, 2017, by the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Nowlin was charged with obstruction of the IRS, falsification of tax returns and bankruptcy fraud for the years of 2008 and 2009. According to court documents, Nowlin also worked as a tax preparer from 2011 to 2017 and filed hundreds of returns on behalf of clients that contained false information intended to increase the amount of their refunds. He then collected the fees and deposited them into bank accounts that he controlled but on which his name did not appear.

A Wide Range of Offenses

Along with the fraudulent tax activities conducted by Nowlin, the court also alleged that he filed false personal bankruptcy petitions in an effort to evade or cheat his creditors. Nowlin’s tax returns included false information both about his earned income and the amount of withholding for federal taxes. Additionally, Nowlin attempted to renounce his U.S. citizenship by proclaiming himself a sovereign citizen in paperwork filed with the Guilford County Register of Deeds.

Harsh Penalties Assessed for Fraudulent Activities

In August 2017, Nowlin pled guilty to obstructing the IRS, filing fraudulent returns and committing bankruptcy fraud. Along with 37 months in prison, Nowlin will be required to pay restitution of more than $188,000 and to serve three years on supervised release. According to federal law, the statutory maximum for income tax fraud cases is three years in prison. Bankruptcy fraud can lead to up to five years in jail.

Criminal Prosecutions Are Rare

While Nowlin’s case is not typical, it highlights the need to stay on the right side of IRS regulations when filing and paying taxes. Working with a qualified IRS and state tax attorney can be a solid step toward preventing serious penalties that could damage you financially and, in some cases, could lead to criminal prosecution.

The Law Offices of Daniel M. Silvershein can help you manage your IRS problems proactively and effectively. We have more than 20 years of experience in tax issues and can deliver the right solutions for your specific situation. To set up a free consultation with us, call 1-888-382-7880. We look forward to helping you resolve your tax problems quickly and in the most positive way possible.

Todd Coontz, a North Carolina televangelist was indicted on charges of tax fraud for non-payment of income taxes for a 10 year period as well as filing false returns for 2010 through 2013. The amount of the tax liability owing is more than $326,000.

Coontz, who “promised financial miracles for people who sent money to his ministry” with such claims as “You need to plant the $273 recovery seed.  I’m only going to give you two or three minutes to respond.”

Coontz also purchased a 2011 BMW, a 2011 Regal 2500 boat, a 2012 BMW convertible, a 2011 Lexus, a 2011 Land Rover, a 2006 Ferrari, a 2012 Maserati, a 2013 BMW,  a 2013 Land Rover and a 2012 Ferrari with funds through his corporation.  The payments for these vehicles were treated as business expenses on the corporation and ministry’s accounting records even though they were driven by family members and no records were kept about the business use of the cars.

The ministry also purchased a $1.5 million condominium and claimed $200,000 for clothing purchases as a business expense.

The indictment also states that Coontz hid income from the IRS by claiming travel as a business expense while at the same time, receiving travel reimbursement that he kept as personal income, and billing the church for first-class airfare that he did not actually purchase.

Coontz could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Adrian Benitez and Jose Ramirez, co-owners of a Great Neck, NY flower business, pled guilty in U.S. District Court to charges of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the internal revenue laws.

Between 2007 and 2012, the pair diverted more than $1 million in sales to their personal bank accounts instead of their business account.  They directed their customers to pay in cash, or had them pay with a check made payable to cash or themselves personally.  Benitez and Ramirez hid these assets from their tax preparer so the returns filed did not disclose any of the funds they diverted on both their personal and business income tax returns.  The loss to the IRS is approximately $235,805.

No sentencing date has been set, but Benitez and Ramirez each face a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.

Krystal Proctor, a former teller at a check-cashing business, was indicted by a grand jury in the District of Maryland with theft of public money and conspiring to defraud the United States.

It’s alleged that from 2011 through 2013, Proctor and unnamed co-conspirators filed false tax returns with the IRS using stolen IDs. Refund checks were taken to Proctor, who then entered false information into the check cashing business’s database.  Proctor processed the stolen checks under the names of existing customers instead of the individuals named on the checks.

According to the indictment, Proctor cashed over 100 checks totaling more than $500,000.

If convicted, Proctor faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for conspiracy and 10 years for each count of theft of public money.  She will also have to pay restitution and penalties.

A trial date is pending.

Las Vegas resident Maria Larkin was convicted of tax evasion after a jury found her guilty of refusing to pay employment taxes to the IRS for money she withheld from her employees.

Larkin operated the Five Star Home Health Care, Inc. from 1996 until 2009.  From 2004 to 2009, evidence showed that not only did she fail to pay the employment taxes, she also tried to conceal her income and assets by lying about her ability to pay.  She changed the name of her business and instructed her employees to cash checks for her.  She also bought a home in the name of a nominee.  Larkin faces up to 5 years in prison at her sentencing later this year.