Taxation & Estate Planning

Naughty Dentists! IRS Tax Problems May Mean Prison Time for These Docs?

By Darrin Mish

You would think that medical professionals make enough money to pay their taxes without any qualms. But it appears that's not the case with two Ohio dentists, Bradley C. Brennecke and Bruce A. Mrusek from Pleasant Plain and Maineville respectively. They were charged by the Department of Justice for conspiracy and attempting to cheat the IRS from 1998 to 2004. In July, the duo was indicted by a federal grand jury. The charges against them were evading taxes, defrauding the IRS and submitting false documents. Mrusek in particular, was charged with filing false tax returns on his business.

Among others, they were charged for:

Stating their spouses' names as owners of their assets in order to avoid taxes
Making false tax returns
Giving the impression that they paid tax liabilities by filing some bogus documents with the IRS
Claiming for tax deductions that did not occur

If convicted, the potential penalty they face would be very heavy. Brenneke faces a maximum jail term of 75 years and a fine not exceeding $1.75 million whereas Mrusek may be imprisoned for up to 79 years and fined not more than $2.25 million.

It appears highly likely that these two dentists will be giving free dental treatment to their fellow inmates in the federal penitentiary for a long time.

Full post as published by IRS Problem Solver Blog on August 30, 2009 (boomark / email).