Rep. Davis Testifies on Prisoner Tax Scams

 

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, June 29, Congressman Jim Davis testified before the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Committee on Ways and Means regarding tax fraud committed by prison inmates. 

 

In Florida, in 2005, approximately 22,000 returns were filed using a prisoner's social security number.  The IRS investigated this group and found that about 1,000 of the returns are fraudulent to the tune of about $4.6 million.  In some cases, prisoners received refunds of up to $5,000 from the IRS for wages they never earned. 

 

In April, Congressman Davis joined Senator Bill Nelson and Representatives Ric Keller and Tom Feeney in calling on the General Accounting Office to investigate the problem and identify ways lawmakers could ensure that criminals are not continuing their illegal activities from behind bars.

 

“I am glad the Ways and Means Committee is taking action to address this problem,” said Congressman Davis.  “When millions of law-abiding Americans are struggling to pay their taxes, we can no longer allow criminals to game the system.”

 

For more information on the hearing, including Rep. Davis' testimony, CLICK HERE.