Resident of Quechee, Vermont Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns

            CONCORD - Kurt Devoid, 60, of Quechee, Vermont, was sentenced to three years of probation, including six months of home confinement, for filing false income tax returns, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.

            According to court documents, Devoid is a self-employed painter.  Devoid’s personal federal income tax returns for tax years 2010 through 2013 were prepared by a commercial tax preparation office in Lebanon, New Hampshire.  On the returns, Devoid reported income he received from commercial customers of his painting business, but failed to report substantial income he received from his residential customers.  Devoid’s failure to report the true amount of his personal income during the four year period caused a tax loss of $98,482 to the United States Treasury.

            DeVoid, who previously pled guilty on May 10, 2018, also was ordered to pay $98,482 in restitution.

            “The federal tax laws apply to all citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Those who choose to submit false tax returns should understand that they will be caught by the IRS and will be referred for prosecution. The potential penalties for tax evasion far outweigh any personal advantage anticipated by those who seek to avoid paying.”

            “Self-employed individuals like Mr. Devoid have a legal obligation to honestly report their income and timely pay their taxes,” said Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Boston Field Office.  “Those who willfully file false tax returns underreporting their taxable income and taxes owed steal from the public and damage our nation’s system of taxation.  Violators will be prosecuted, punished, and obligated to repay their taxes along with substantial penalties and interest.” 

            The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Kinsella. 

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