June 27, 2022

The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that the Washington County Attorney’s Office recently charged Anthony Thomas Phinney, of Forest Lake, with five felony counts of failing to file income tax returns and five felony counts of failing to pay income tax.

According to the complaint, Mr. Phinney willfully failed to file his state income tax returns for tax years 2016 through 2020 and failed to pay income tax for those tax years. The complaint states that Mr. Phinney earned enough income through his concrete and construction businesses during those years to be required to file income tax returns and pay income tax in Minnesota. According to the complaint, Mr. Phinney owes over $24,600 in income tax, penalties, and interest.

Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Although most taxpayers comply with tax laws voluntarily, the department takes enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers to ensure that tax laws are administered fairly.