The New York State Tax Department announced the arrest of a New York City-based tax preparer for allegedly filing false income, corporate, and withholding tax returns. Tax Department investigators arrested Raul Martinez, 60, of Brayton Street in Englewood, New Jersey, and formerly of 91 Van Cortlandt Avenue in the Bronx, on August 6.

Martinez, arraigned remotely in Albany City Court and released on his own recognizance, faces seven felony counts in all, including one count for repeatedly failing to file corporate tax for his business, Apollo Tax, located at 170 Dyckman Street in New York City.

He was also charged with third-degree grand larceny for claiming a refund of nearly $7,000 by allegedly providing false information on his 2015 personal income tax return. In addition, Martinez was charged with one count of third-degree criminal tax fraud, one count of fourth-degree criminal tax fraud, and three counts of offering a false instrument for filing.

“We deploy an analytics-driven approach to prevent and uncover tax fraud that deprives communities throughout New York of revenue needed for vital services,” Commissioner Michael Schmidt said. “The urgency of these efforts is only heightened in the context of the pandemic. We will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to uncover tax fraud and hold unscrupulous tax preparers accountable.”

A criminal complaint is only an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Albany County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case.

Taxpayers who believe a tax preparer has engaged in illegal or improper conduct, may file a complaint. The department will review the complaint promptly and, if appropriate, take corrective action. For details, please see our File a complaint about a tax return preparer webpage.