The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced that a Syracuse businessman has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with failing to pay the State sales tax owed.    

Robert Woodward, 43, of 4510 Quamby Rd., Clay, NY, appeared in Onondaga County Court on July 6 and was charged with three felony counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree.

“Owning a business comes with the obligation to accurately and honestly comply with your tax responsibilities,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Jerry Boone. “We will continue to work with local law enforcement to level the playing field for all business owners by prosecuting those who would attempt to steal the tax dollars collected from their customers.”

Woodward is the owner of Rob’s Cycle Supply, Inc., 613 Wolf St., Syracuse, NY.  He is accused of collecting $37,323 in sales tax from customers between March 2012 and August 2013 but failing to remit those funds to the Tax Department as required by law.

The case was investigated by the Tax Department's Criminal Investigations Division; it will be prosecuted by the Onondaga County District Attorney's office.

A criminal complaint is an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

In New York State, 96% of taxes are paid by businesses and individuals who voluntarily meet their tax responsibilities. The remaining 4% is collected through the Tax Department's audit, collections and criminal investigation programs. Through its enforcement programs, the Department ensures fair tax administration for all New Yorkers.

Report fraud
You can report tax evasion and fraud online at the Tax Department's website or by calling 518-457-0578. The information is kept confidential.