Ankeny Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to File Tax Returns

DES MOINES, IA – On February 3, 2022, Kevin Jeffrey Stiller, age 58, of Ankeny, appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to two counts of failure to file tax returns for the calendar years 2015 and 2017. Stiller is scheduled to be sentenced on June 7, 2022, by United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner. Each count of failure to file a tax return has a maximum sentence of one year in prison; a maximum fine of $25,000; or both. Stiller is responsible for paying his tax liability in full and must pay a $25 per count special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Kevin Stiller is the owner and operator of Spruce Hill Tree Service and he received taxable income from this business. At the plea hearing, Stiller admitted he knew he was required to file federal income tax returns for the years 2015 and 2017 and he willfully failed to do so. He additionally admitted he willfully failed to file federal income tax returns for the years 2008 – 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.