⏱ 2 min read
Janie Martinez Castillo, a professional tax preparer from Arcadia, Florida, has been indicted for filing false tax forms and failing to pay employment taxes. Castillo, who owned and operated Castillo Payroll and Tax Service Inc., allegedly failed to account for and pay over employment taxes owed by her business from 2019 to 2023. The indictment also accuses her of filing a false personal tax return and corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the internal revenue laws.
According to the indictment, Castillo’s business, CPTS, owed employment taxes for numerous calendar quarters, but she failed to pay them. She also falsified her personal tax returns, altering the amount withheld from her income. Furthermore, Castillo allegedly altered CPTS’s books and records after receiving an IRS summons but before providing the records.
The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, and the case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Winter will prosecute the case. If convicted, Castillo faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on each count for willfully failing to account for and pay over employment taxes, and up to 3 years on each remaining count.
The investigation and indictment of Castillo serve as a reminder that tax evasion and falsifying tax returns are serious crimes that can result in significant penalties. The IRS and other law enforcement agencies are committed to holding individuals and businesses accountable for their tax obligations.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Florida
- Location: US
- Source: DOJ Press Release
