5 ms·
The prison time wasn't for back taxes, it was that he didn't file at all for the foreign company. Frankly 3 months isn't enough for tax cheating.
by OstiaAntica 15y ago
The prison time wasn't for back taxes, it was that he didn't file at all for the foreign company. Frankly 3 months isn't enough for tax cheating.
- tptacek 15y agoMy guess is most people who owe back taxes haven't filed. It's not "tax cheating" not to file; it's "tax cheating" to file false returns. I went a bunch of years without filing, racked up a pretty significant tax liability, and it was absolutely not a big deal to take care of it. Years earlier, I did the same thing, but instead of having my accountant clear it up, the government noticed and just levied me. Again: not a big deal.
- Vivtek 15y agoSame here. I failed big in the 2001 recession and it took me a couple of years to really believe it. I almost have the back taxes paid off now. The IRS really doesn't do the criminal conviction thing unless there's no other choice. It's expensive and doesn't really fix the problem - that they don't have their money. They'd much, much rather set up a payment plan. Also, for anybody in that situation - talk to them. I've never had a bad experience talking to the IRS. Sure, it's scary admitting there's that much debt hanging over your head, but the earlier you get on it, the better. Way better.
- tptacek 15y agoI didn't even not file because of scary debt; I didn't file because I didn't give a s---. And they didn't either. Something else is going on in this story.