Okemos couple, Tacos E Mas owners charged with sales tax evasion – Lansing State Journal
LANSING — A couple who owns a Lansing Mexican restaurant wrote on tax records that they had no monthly sales for years to avoid paying taxes, according to the Michigan Attorney General’s office.
David Delacruz, 55, and Tamara Delacruz, 50, who own Tacos E Mas in Lansing, are accused of collecting more than $250,000 in sales tax, but never returning it to the Michigan Department of Treasury, according to a news release.
Attorney General Dana Nessel said the Delacruzes, of Okemos, have not filed sales tax returns since 2015, and have not filed income tax returns since 2014, according to the release.
Charges include:
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years and a $5,000 fine.
“We rely on business owners, regardless of how large or small, to abide by the law and pay their fair share,” Nessel said. “In this case, they not only cheated the system, but their scheme deprived the state School Aid Fund of $175,000.”
The Delacruzes were arraigned in Eaton County District Court Jan. 17 on all charges. Both were released on $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
Tacos E Mas is located at 3500 S. Cedar Street, Suite 101 in Lansing.
Contact Kara Berg at 517-377-1113 or kberg@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @karaberg95.
