HB 5289

Abstract

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. In provisions setting forth criminal penalties for failure to file a return and for filing a fraudulent return, provides that: (i) when the amount due is under $300, the person is guilty of a Class 4 felony; (ii) when the amount due is at least $300 but less than $1,000, the person is guilty of a Class 3 felony; and (iii) when the amount due is at least $1,000, the person is guilty of a Class 2 felony. Creates the offense of tax evasion. Provides that a person commits the offense of tax evasion when he knowingly attempts in any manner to evade or defeat the tax imposed on him or on any other person, or the payment thereof and he commits an affirmative act in furtherance of the evasion. Provides that two or more acts of tax evasion may be charged as a single count in any indictment, information, or complaint and the amount of tax deficiency may be aggregated for purposes of determining the amount of tax which is attempted to be or is evaded and the period between the first and last acts may be alleged as the date of the offense. Sets forth criminal penalties for the offense of tax evasion.