Oregon Women Accused of $2 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

A Salem women has been accused of defrauding the Oregon Department of Revenue for $2 million and has been charged with tax fraud.

Kimberly Marie Ryes may have gotten away with the fraud, but it was detected after she lost the debit card issued for the refund. She went to TurboTax, who did her initial return,  to request a replacement when they discovered the fraud.

Reyes had already spent about $200,000 of her issued refund. She purchased a 1999 Dodge Caravan, which is a modest purchase when you consider the refund she received. She can be seen on video surveillance making several purchases in local stores using the debit card.

Instead of stealing a person’s identification, many tax fraudsters are just simply reporting inflated incomes and lying about employers. Even though the return had to be approved by several employees in the Oregon Department of Revenue, it slipped through the cracks.

Reyes has been charged with aggravated theft and a computer crime. If this had been a federal tax return Reyes would be facing criminal charges that would require she hire an accomplished Oregon tax attorney.

Criminal tax charges are common but not as common as other IRS problems such as an audit, failing to file a return, or underpayment of taxes. These problems are easily handled by a tax lawyer.

An Oregon tax lawyer can stop federal or state agencies from garnishing your income or attempting to seize your property for unpaid tax bills, along with negotiating for reduced fines and penalties on delinquent taxes.