Eden Prairie man charged with multiple tax crimes 

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office recently charged Jafar Mohamed Siraj, of Eden Prairie, with five felony counts of filing a fraudulent individual income tax return, one felony count of failing to file an individual income tax return, and six felony counts of failing to pay income tax.

According to the complaint, Mr. Siraj operated two businesses, Juba Valley Trucking and JacFar Income Tax, which earned him enough income to be required to file income tax returns in Minnesota for tax years 2018 through 2023. However, Mr. Siraj allegedly failed to file an income tax return in 2018, filed false returns from 2019 through 2023 by underreporting his income, and failed to pay income tax for tax years 2018 through 2023. Mr. Siraj knew of his obligation to file tax returns based on previous communications from the department including phone calls, letters, liens, and bank levies that were a result of previous enforcement actions. The complaint goes on to state that Mr. Siraj prepared and filed thousands of tax returns for his clients, showing that he knew how to prepare a tax return and knew that filing a return that does not include his income from his businesses would be considered fraudulent. Mr. Siraj allegedly owes more than $356,000 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.

Many of the department’s criminal case referrals come from public tips. There is a 24-hour tip line for anyone who suspects that a person or business is violating Minnesota tax laws. Local callers may dial 651-297-5195 or call toll-free by dialing 1-800-657-3500. Tips can also be submitted to the department by email at tax.fraud@state.mn.us. Tipsters may choose to remain anonymous. 

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