HARTFORD, Conn. — A Danbury business owner was sentenced in Hartford federal court on Tuesday for tax evasion, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Bill Makros, 58, has been sentenced to seven months in prison, which will be followed by two years of supervised release. He also must pay $137,672 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
Court documents and statements made in court revealed that Makros owned and operated “Budget Tree and Stump Removal Service, LLC.,” a tree service. From 2016 through 2020, the business’ gross receipts totaled $1,426,915.
According to prosecutors, Makros hid his income by receiving customer payments through checks made payable to “cash” or to him personally. He reportedly deposited the checks into bank accounts other than the bank account designated for his business.
Prosecutors added that, at times, Makros also cashed check payments without depositing the cash into any business or personal accounts. From the 2016 through 2020 tax years, Makros failed to file his federal individual tax returns and failed to pay taxes amounting to $140,694.
Furthermore, prosecutors note that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Makros received two pandemic relief loans worth $31,200. While applying, he submitted IRS Schedule C forms for his business that pretended to be part of his tax returns for 2019 and 2020, although he had not filed tax returns with the IRS for those years. The loans were then forgiven.
In Hartford, a judge ordered Makros to pay $137,672 restitution after he pleaded guilty to tax evasion on July 1.
Prosecutors said that in 2008, Makros was convicted in Connecticut state court on two counts of failing to pay over sales tax.
Makros is released on bond and must report to prison on Jan. 7, 2025. The investigation was conducted by the IRS – Criminal Investigation Division.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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