TAX COMPLAINT FILED ON HONOLULU COMPANY & OFFICER

Tax Director Marie Okamura announced that a tax complaint was filed against Nobukatsu Naito as the responsible person for failing to file the annual general excise tax returns for his former corporation, Nippon Video Hawaii, Inc., for the 9503, 9603, and 9703 tax years.

Mr. Naito is the former president and director of the corporation.  The corporation was in the business of renting and selling video tapes.  In a separate complaint, the corporation was also charged for failing to file its annual general excise tax returns for the years ending March 1995, March 1996, and March 1997.

The penalties provided by law is a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; provided that a corporation shall be fined not more than $100,000 for each year.

Tax Director Okamura continues to encourage taxpayers to voluntarily file their tax returns.  The department will generally not initiate a criminal investigation when taxpayers voluntarily come forward to report their failure to file or other omissions. 

RELEASED: September 21, 2001

TAX COMPLAINT FILED ON HONOLULU COMPANY & OFFICER

Tax Director Marie Okamura announced that a tax complaint was filed against Randall S. Ogata as the responsible person for failing to file the annual general excise tax returns for his corporation, Pets unlimited, Inc., for the 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 years.

Mr. Ogata is the current president of Pets Unlimited, Inc.  The corporation is in the business of retail sales of pets and accessories.  In a separate complaint, the corporation was also charged for failing to file its annual general excise tax returns for the years ending 1995 through 1999.

The penalties provided by law is a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; provided that a corporation shall be fined not more than $100,000 for each year.

Tax Director Okamura continues to encourage taxpayers to voluntarily file their tax returns.  The department will generally not initiate a criminal investigation when taxpayers voluntarily come forward to report their failure to file or other omissions. 

RELEASED: September 20, 2001

RB TAX SERVICE RETURN PREPARER INDICTED ON 30 COUNTS

Tax Director Marie Okamura and State Attorney General Earl Anzai announced that on September 19, 2001, a Honolulu Grand Jury returned a true bill charging Vivian Soong with multiple misdemeanor and felony violations.

Vivian Soong was charged with the following violations:

18 felony counts for aiding in the preparation of false returns for her clients for the years 1997, 1998 and 1999.

Four felony counts for theft in the 2d degree for the preparation of false tax returns for her clients for the 1997 and 1998 years.

Two felony counts for attempted theft in the 2nd degree for the preparation of false tax returns for her clients for the 1999 year.

Four felony counts for theft in the 3rd degree for the preparation of false tax returns for her clients for the 1997 and 1999 years.

Two felony counts for attempted theft in the 3rd degree for the preparation of false tax returns for her clients for the 1999 year.

The punishment for the crimes are:

1. a)  Preparation of false tax returns - Class C felony, fine of up to $100,000 for each return and imprisonment for a period of not more than 3 years.
2. b)  Theft in 2nd degree - Class C felony, fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for a period of not more than 5 years.
3. c)  Theft in the 3rd degree - Misdemeanor, fine of up to $2,000 and imprisonment for a period of not more than 1 year.

Tax Director Okamura continues to encourage taxpayers to voluntarily file their tax returns.  The department will generally not initiate a criminal investigation when taxpayers voluntarily come forward to report their failure to file or other omissions.