How A So. Utah Man Committed Major Tax Fraud

Tax season may be over, but the issue of tax fraud is always on the minds of those who deal with it.  

That would be the Internal Revenue Service and Criminal Investigations. Well, one of Utah’s own committed the grave sin of tax fraud and was sentenced earlier this month. Those in Southern Utah may be familiar with Zion Outfitter in Springdale, Utah, which is the subject of tax fraud.  

If you’ve watched Deli Boys on Hulu, then you know “Nothing is worse than tax fraud”.  

Well, a man in Washington, Phyllip Heaton was sentenced to five months in prison and 18-month supervision after release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Utah said. Heaton is the owner of Zion Outfitter and evaded taxes for six years, according to the press release.  

He was ordered by the court to pay a $95,000 fine and $1,947,906.79 in restitution. Heaton paid in full during the hearing.  

How To Avoid Tax Fraud 

Well, the basics are to provide ALL the information on your income. Heaton did not do so on purpose and gave his CPAs information that under reported his earnings. Over the six years, Heaton avoided $1.9 million in income tax, the press release said.  

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The lesson here is to not do that. No one likes paying taxes, but that is just how it works. Especially for business owners. Committing tax fraud is a criminal offense and you will be caught eventually. There will be consequences.  

Just pay your taxes and be a good citizen.