Mayor of Winfield Surrenders on Sales Tax Evasion Charges

HUNTSVILLE – Kenneth Lee Burchfield, age 44, surrendered himself to Scott County Sheriff officials yesterday on sales tax evasion charges. The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Burchfield’s indictment and subsequent surrender. Burchfield owns Kenny’s Rowboat, Inc., a convenience store located in Winfield, Tenn. Bail was set at $10,000.  

On May 4, 2010, the Scott County Grand Jury returned a 31 count indictment for evading sales tax in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(g), a Class E felony. The indictment charged that Burchfield intentionally failed to report sales tax totaling $47,173.02 to the state from Feb. 2004 through Dec. 2006. If convicted, Burchfield could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined $3,000 for each count. Burchfield was previously arrested on sales tax evasion charges in 1999.
 

“The Department of Revenue is committed to applying Tennessee’s tax laws and policies uniformly to all taxpayers to ensure a level playing field,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “The department cannot and will not allow people engaged in fraudulent tax activities to have a competitive advantage over honest businesspeople.” 

 

This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with District Attorney General Paul Phillips’ Office. Citizens who suspect violations of Tennessee’s revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hot line at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389). 

 

The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the department collected $10.2 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.9 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Besides collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance. The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government. To learn more about the department, log on to www.TN.gov/revenue.

 

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