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Yearly Archives: 2009
Fake CPA and Partner Busted
FTB News Release September 2009 -The owner of a Glendale tax preparation business and his colleague were arrested on multiple felony charges including elder financial abuse, grand theft, state income tax evasion, and state income tax fraud related to their roles in a bogus securities investment scheme, we announced on August 5, 2009.
Donald R. Ford, of Glendale, and Gregory A. Edwards, of Culver City, were remanded into custody after their arraignment Friday. Ford allegedly persuaded clients, whose trust he had gained from his tax preparation business, to invest in a phony investment scheme. Ford, who posed as a certified public accountant and Edwards allegedly, scammed investors by promising them high rates of return on investments. Instead, Ford and Edwards used the money for their own financial gain.
Ford earned more than $1.3 million in income from the unlawful scheme and Edwards earned more than $961,000 for his role in the scam. Ford allegedly failed to report this income on his 2002 and 2006 state income tax returns and owes the state more than $231,000 in unpaid tax, penalties, and interest. Edwards allegedly failed to report his income on his 2006 state income tax return and owes the state more than $81,000 in unpaid tax. All income is taxable including income from illegal sources.
Ford and Edwards were both booked into the Los Angeles County Jail and are still in custody. Their bail is set at $100,000 each. Their next court appearance has not been set.
The filing of false tax returns and the failure to file tax returns is part of the annual $6.5 billion tax gap facing California. The tax gap is defined as the difference between taxes that are owed and what is paid.
CPAs are licensed by the state. The public can check on the status of a CPA with the California Board of Accountancy atcba.ca.gov or by calling 916.263.3680. The IRS and FTB have recently issued a brochure, FTB Publication 982, How to Select an Income Tax Return Preparer where taxpayers can learn more about choosing a tax professional.
This is a joint investigation between Department of Justice (DOJ) and us. DOJ Deputy Attorney General Edward Skelly is prosecuting this case.
Treasury News Release -$500 Million in Recovery Act Awards for Clean Energy Projects
WASHINGTON– Marking a major milestone in the effort to spur private sector investments in clean energy and create new jobs for America’s workers, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced $502 million in the first round of awards from an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) program that provides cash assistance to energy production companies in place of earned tax credits. The new funding creates additional upfront capital, enabling companies to create jobs and begin construction that may have been stalled until now.
“The Recovery Act is investing in our long-term energy needs while creating jobs in communities around the country,” said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. “This renewable energy program will spur the manufacture and development of clean energy in urban and rural America, allowing us to protect our environment, create good jobs and revitalize our nation’s economy.”
Said Secretary Chu: “These grants will help America’s businesses launch clean energy projects, putting Americans back to work in good construction and manufacturing jobs. The initiative will help double our renewable energy capacity over the next few years and make sure America leads the world in creating the clean energy economy of the future.”
Created under Section 1603 of the Recovery Act, the program is expected to provide more than $3 billion in financial support for clean energy projects by providing direct payments in lieu of tax credits. These payments will support an estimated 5,000 bio-mass, solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy production facilities in all regions of the country over the life of the program. As a result of this first round of funding, more than 2,000 Americans will have access to jobs in the renewable energy industry – both in construction and in manufacturing – while moving the nation closer to meeting the Administration’s goal of doubling renewable energy generation in the next few years.
The Treasury Department opened the application process for the 1603 program on July 31, 2009 and is today making the first awards in half the statutorily mandated turnaround time of 60 days. The following is a chart of projects funded as part of today’s announcement. Additional awards under the program will be announced in the coming weeks.
Movement Gym PV System (Solar), Boulder, CO, $157,809
Solaire Development, LLC Danbury, CT, $2,578,717.00
Evergreen Wind Power V, LLC, Danforth, ME, $40,441,471
Moraine II Wind Farm, Woodstock, MN, $28,019,520
NY
Canadaigua Power Partners, LLC (Wind), Cohocton, NY, $52,352,334
Canadaigua Power Partners II, LLC (Wind), Cohocton, NY, $22,296,494
Wheat Field Wind Farm, Arlington, OR, $47,717,155.00
Hay Canyon Wind Farm, Moro, OR, $47,092,555
Pebble Springs Wind Farm, Arlington, OR, $46,543,219
Highland Wind Farm, Salix, PA, $42,204,562
Locust Ridge II, LLC (Wind), Shenandoah, PA, $59,162,064
Penascal Wind Farm, Sarita, TX, $114,071,646
Total Amount $502,637,546
Stacie's Tax Stuff 