COLUMBIA MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON IN TAX CASE

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that Allan Todd Hunnicutt, age 44, of Columbia, was sentenced in federal court for filing false quarterly tax returns for his business. United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced Hunnicutt to one year in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release.

Evidence at trial showed that in 2001, Hunnicutt bought the assets of another company and formed Motion Forward Technologies, Inc. From 2001 until 2004, he withheld income taxes, social security taxes, and medicare taxes from his employees’ paychecks, but failed to pay all of that money to the Internal Revenue Service. From December 2004 through May 2005, Hunnicutt filed five employer's quarterly tax returns on which he falsely claimed that during the covered period he made over $43,000 in tax deposits, when only $6,717 had been deposited.

The case was investigated by agents of the Criminal Investigative Division of the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney Dean A. Eichelberger of the Columbia office handled the case.

Taxpayers Filing Earlier, and Banking Larger Refunds in 2009

GREENSBORO – Taxpayers are filing earlier and receiving larger refunds so far this year, according to early filing season statistics released today by the Internal Revenue Service.

As of Feb. 27, 2009, the IRS had received 56 million individual tax returns, a slight increase over the previous year. And, the average individual refund was $2,869, a 9 percent increase or $232 more than the same time last year.

The IRS notes that possible reasons for the larger refunds may include taxpayers benefiting from the recovery rebate credit and other tax breaks such as the first-time homebuyer credit and the additional standard deduction for real estate taxes. The average refund amount generally will decrease slightly as the filing season progresses.

More taxpayers choose to receive their refunds through direct deposit each year. As of Feb. 27, more than 84 percent of all refunds were issued through direct deposit, up from 81 percent for the same period last year.

While the IRS has issued almost 3 percent more refunds this year compared to the same time last year, the number of taxpayers who choose to receive their refunds quickly and safely through direct deposit is up almost 7 percent compared to the same time last year. On Feb. 27, the average direct deposit refund totaled $3,063.

The IRS cautioned that year-to-year analysis of total returns filed will be an anomaly this year because last year’s results include those returns filed for the economic stimulus payment. As the year progresses, the IRS expects to receive and process more individual income tax returns during 2009 than in 2007 but fewer than in 2008.

IRS Has Nearly $43 Million for Carolinians Who Have Not Filed a 2005 Federal Income Tax Return

GREENSBORO — Unclaimed refunds totaling approximately $43 million are awaiting more than 53,000 taxpayers in the Carolinas who did not file a federal income tax return for 2005, the Internal Revenue Service announced today

In order to collect the money, a return for 2005 must be filed with the IRS no later than Tuesday, April 15, 2009, said Mark Hanson, IRS Spokesperson for the Carolinas.

Especially in these tough economic times, people should not lose out on money that is rightfully theirs," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “People should check their records, especially if they had taxes withheld from their paychecks but were not required to file a tax return. They may be leaving money on the table, including valuable tax credits that can mean even more money in their pockets."

Nationwide, the IRS estimates that half of those who could claim refunds for tax year 2005 would receive more than $581. Some individuals may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments. In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund.

If no return is filed to claim the refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2005 returns, the window closes on April 15, 2009. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, postmarked and mailed by that date. There is no penalty assessed by the IRS for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2005 refund that their checks will be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2006 or 2007. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS and may be used to satisfy unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans.

By failing to file a return, individuals stand to lose more than refunds of taxes withheld or paid during 2005. Many low-income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Generally, unmarried individuals qualified for the EITC if in 2005 they earned less than $35,263 and had more than one qualifying child living with them, earned less than $31,030 with one qualifying child, or earned less than $11,750 and had no qualifying child. Limits are slightly higher for married individuals filing jointly.

Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications web page of IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Information about the Earned Income Tax Credit and how to claim it is also available on IRS.gov. Taxpayers who need help also can call the toll-free IRS help line at 1-800-829-1040.

Why E-File

State Tax Return Check Off Makes it Easy to Support State Parks

South Carolinians can have a big impact on their state parks when they file their 2008 state income tax return.

The South Carolina State Park Service is launching a public awareness campaign encouraging citizens to “Check Off for State Parks” when they file their individual state income tax returns.

Contributions made on Schedule I-330 will fund new trails, better programs, and other visitor enhancements at South Carolina’s 47 state parks.

“The majority of the 7 million annual visitors to South Carolina’s state parks are South Carolina residents. This program provides an easy way for these loyal park customers to support their state parks,” said Chad Prosser, director of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “We think this is a great opportunity for South Carolinians to show their support and make a difference in their state parks just by donating when they file their taxes.”

Taxpayers can designate any amount from $1 up to be used for state park improvements. More than $33,000 was donated in 2008 by South Carolina taxpayers. Check off programs can make a real impact. For instance, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has collected more than $21 million since 1984 to help with conservation efforts in that state.
Prosser said that the check-off donations will be used strictly for enhancement projects such as replacing the viewing platforms at Huntington Beach, trail improvements at Table Rock and historic preservation projects at Hampton Plantation and the Hunting Island Lighthouse. Unlike most state programs, the State Park Service receives only a small portion of its budget from state taxes. Thus, state parks depend on charitable contributions and park revenues for maintenance and improvements.

The S.C. State Park Service is a division of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism and manages 47 state parks, covering more than 80,000 acres that include more than 3,000 campsites, 220 cabins and villas, lake and river access, historic sites, public beaches, sand hills pine woods and mountain forest. For more information, go to www.Checkoff4SCParks.com or www.SouthCarolinaParks.com.