Shakopee couple charged with multiple tax crimes 

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that the Scott County Attorney’s Office recently charged Hoa Tien Dinh and Thuy The Dinh, both of Shakopee, with four felony counts each of filing false business income tax returns.

According to the complaints, department investigators began looking into the Dinhs’ tax records after a referral from the Minnetonka Police Department. The complaint states that police were investigating Mr. Dinh for taking decommissioned electronic devices, such as laptops and tablets, from his employer and selling them on eBay. Department investigators determined that while the Dinhs did claim the sales from the electronic devices on the business tax filings for Ms. Dinh’s business, they also claimed large amounts of business expenses that did not exist. In particular, the Dinhs were allegedly reporting Cost of Goods Sold on their returns for tax years 2020 through 2023. Cost of Goods Sold covers any costs and is only applicable to report the amount a business paid for the products/materials that it sells. As demonstrated by the police investigation, the complaints state that many of the electronic devices they sold were not purchased by the Dinhs. The complaints allege that the Dinhs evaded more than $77,000 in tax.

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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