Davidson County Business Owner Charged with Sales Tax Evasion and Theft

NASHVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to today’s arrest of Masoud Zand for sales tax evasion and theft.  Zand, 51, was arrested today at his business on Nolensville Pike.

On Friday, the Davidson County Grand Jury indicted Zand, owner of Quality Cars, on 10 Class E felony counts of sales tax evasion and one Class B felony count of theft of property over $60,000.  The indictments charge that from January 2011 through June 2013, Zand failed to remit sales tax in the amount of $87,488.61 from sales at Quality Cars.  Bond was set at $25,000.

“This investigation will serve as a reminder that retailers are not entitled to use or keep sales tax monies,” Revenue Commissioner Richard Roberts said. “When sales tax revenues are collected by a retailer, they are at all times property of the state or local government, and they must be remitted to the state.”

If convicted, Zand could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000 for each count of attempted sales tax evasion. He could also be sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $25,000 for theft of property.

The Department is pursuing this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney General Glenn Funk and his staff. 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 and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2015 fiscal year, it collected $12.6 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.4 billion in taxes and fees for local governments.  To learn more about the Department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.

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