Kenneth Donais, 57, of Sparta, Wisconsin was charged on May 17, 2023 in Monroe County Circuit Court with three misdemeanor counts of failing to file a state income tax return for tax years 2019 through 2021.
According to the criminal complaint, Donais has a history of not filing Wisconsin income tax returns despite having a requirement to do so. Full year Wisconsin residents with gross income at or above a threshold amount determined by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue are required to file Wisconsin income tax returns. Donais earned non-employee compensation significantly above the filing threshold amounts in 2019 through 2021 as a contractor for a company that builds post frame steel buildings.
The complaint also states that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue devoted a significant number of staff hours working to get Donais in compliance with the tax laws before making the criminal referral.
Under Wisconsin law, failure to file an income tax return is a misdemeanor. If convicted on all counts, Donais faces a maximum penalty of up to 27 months imprisonment and/or $30,000 in fines. Donais is being prosecuted by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office following an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s Office of Criminal Investigation.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue Office of Criminal Investigation investigates individuals and businesses suspected of committing tax crimes and seeks criminal prosecution for those crimes.
