New York Man Faces Prison for Theft of Sales Taxes

Nov 7, 2012 | Gail Cole

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has issued a press release detailing the theft of $196,000 in sales taxes by a restauranteur. The Rochester area man "pled guilty as charged" for the theft, which took place over a period of three years.

In order to steal the sales taxes collected from customers, Robert J. Bryant filed 18 false sales tax returns. He now faces two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree (a class D felony), Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a class C felony), and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (a class E felony). He faces up to fifteen years in New York prison.

While no sentencing date has been set, Bryant has been ordered by the court to "being repaying the State the $196,583.00 of stolen sales tax."

Regarding the case, Department of Taxation and Finance Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox assured that "tax laws are equitably and impartially enforced."

Get Free Tax Rate Tables

New York State Rates

Sales tax rates, rules, and regulations change frequently. Although we hope you'll find this information helpful, this blog is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal or tax advice.

Avalara Author

Gail Cole

Avalara Author Gail Cole

Gail began researching and writing about sales tax in 2012 and has been fascinated with it ever since. She has a penchant for uncovering unusual tax facts, and endeavors to make complex sales tax laws more digestible for both experts and laypeople.