United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced the sentencing of Murat Aslansan, a Philadelphia resident, for tax evasion. Aslansan received a sentence of 12 months and one day in prison, two years of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine. Additionally, he has been ordered to pay $327,723 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Aslansan was the sole owner and operator of MA-SA Construction LLC, a company providing home remodeling and maintenance services from his residence in Society Hill, Philadelphia. From 2016 to 2018, he cashed business checks at a check cashing business rather than depositing them into business accounts and failed to report over $600,000 in gross receipts on his tax returns.
In subsequent years, 2019 and 2020, Aslansan continued this practice and did not file tax returns for those years. This led to an attempted evasion of tax assessment amounting to $327,723 owed to the IRS.
In July of this year, Aslansan pleaded guilty to charges of tax evasion. U.S. Attorney Romero stated: “By evading his tax responsibilities of more than $300,000, Murat Aslansan cheated not just the government but all taxpayers who dutifully pay their fair share.” She warned that such actions can lead to severe consequences including arrest and imprisonment.
Amy MacNeely from IRS Criminal Investigation emphasized that individuals like Aslansan undermine public confidence in the tax system by intentionally violating laws meant to ensure everyone pays their fair share. "Anyone contemplating cheating on their taxes should know that our largest enforcement program is directed at the portion of American taxpayers who willfully violate their known legal duty," she added.
The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Tiwana Wright.