ALBANY -- A North Syracuse couple faces jail time after the state says they owe more than $14,000 in income taxes.
According to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, 18 individuals were recently arrested in a statewide effort to crack down on tax evasion. Among those arrested were 49-year-old Christopher Howe and 48-year-old Melanie Howe of Walton Road in North Syracuse. Both have each been charged with one felony count of repeated failure to file personal income tax returns after the state says they failed to report income totaling $365,091 from 2005-2007.
According to the state, Christopher Howe works as an independent contractor for Paul Fowler Construction Company, and Melanie Howe is an annuity underwriter for AXA Equitable. The state says that after the Howes were notified of the state’s investigation into their income, they filed returns indicating that they owed $14,370 in back taxes.
"Tax evasion by non-filers is a major problem that costs the state hundreds of millions in tax revenues each year," said Acting Commissioner Jamie Woodward in a statement to the media. "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."
In addition to the Howes, the state says those arrested include five attorneys, a doctor, a certified public accountant, an anesthesiologist, an English professor and a former Monroe County Assistant District Attorney.
The Howes will be arraigned in Syracuse City Court on Friday. A guilty conviction on the felony charge of repeated failure to file personal income tax returns carries a possible sentence of up to four years in state prison.
