Logan County resident ordered to pay taxes

[May 31, 2013]  CHICAGO -- A Logan County judge ordered convicted tax protester Gaylon Harrell to file his back tax returns and pay any taxes, penalties and fines owed to the Illinois Department of Revenue and the court system of Logan County. This action came after Harrell failed to comply with the court's 2009 sentence. The judge also extended Harrell's two-year probation for an additional six months. Harrell filed his old tax returns immediately after the hearing.

"I'm gratified that the court has worked with us to ensure that Mr. Harrell follows the law and files his taxes," said Brian Hamer, director of the Department of Revenue. "Illinois residents understand that paying taxes is a shared responsibility, and it works when everyone pays their fair share."

The court issued the order after Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office filed a petition to revoke the 2009 probation of Harrell, stating that he had failed to comply with the conditions of his probation.

"This enforcement action demonstrates that the state will take any necessary action to ensure that the tax laws are upheld and that individuals who fail to comply are held accountable," Madigan said.

In 2009, Harrell was convicted of willfully failing to file three years of Illinois tax returns. He was originally sentenced to 24 months of probation, a fine of $2,500, court costs and restitution to be determined after he filed Illinois tax returns for 1996, 1997 and 1998. He was also ordered to file those returns within one year of sentencing and to file tax returns during the time of his probation (2008 and 2009).

[Text from Illinois Department of Revenue file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]