Alexandria couple face felony tax charges

The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced Friday that the Douglas County Attorney’s Office recently charged David Hansen, 33, and Laura Hansen, 31, both of Alexandria, with three felony tax crimes.

David and Laura are each charged with three counts of fraudulent tax filing for tax years 2006 through 2008. The two filed joint tax returns for each of these tax years.

According to the complaint, David Hansen claimed that more than $6,000 was withheld from his income in 2006. An investigation found that David’s withholding credit was only $3,000, which resulted in a refund of more than $2,400, according to the revenue department. This offset taxes owed by the Hansens.

In the same year, David reported income from an Alexandria car dealership, claiming $457 in state income tax withheld on his earnings. Documents show David only had nine cents withheld from this income, according to the revenue department.

He also failed to report more than $9,000 in unemployment compensation, which is taxable income, according to the revenue department.

For tax years 2007 and 2008, David reported nearly $13,000 in income tax withholding and nearly $31,000 in unreimbursed business expenses, according to the revenue department.

This resulted in combined refunds of more than $7,000. An investigation found that David had no state income tax withheld in 2007 or 2008 and he earned income that he failed to claim on his return.

In addition, for tax years 2007 and 2008, the Hansens claimed more than $21,000 in mortgage interest, more than $10,000 in charitable contributions, and $4,000 in tuition deductions, according to the revenue department.

The investigation revealed that the couple did not own a home for which mortgage interest applied, the charitable donations could not be verified, and no education institution reported tuition paid by the couple. This also offset taxes owed by the Hansens.

The department contacted the couple requesting documents to verify their claims and offering them a chance to explain the situation. The couple, according to the revenue department, has failed to provide the department with either request.

Each felony is punishable by up to five years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has a 24-hour tip line for anyone who suspects an individual or business is violating tax laws, at (651) 297-5195 or 1-800-657-3500.

Tipsters may remain anonymous and can also email the department at tax.fraud@state.mn.us. Last year, citizen tips resulted in 88 percent of the department’s criminal case referrals.

Tags: crime news, tax charges, david hansen, laura hansen, news, alexandria, irs