A local Dayton, Ohio emergency room doctor was convicted Thursday, Aug. 4, of five counts of failure to file federal income tax returns disclosing more than $1.1 million in income from area hospitals.

U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose scheduled a sentencing hearing for Joseph Maga on Oct. 30. A federal grand jury indicted Maga, 60, on Nov. 25. His trial started Wednesday.

 

Evidence presented by the government during the trial showed that Maga failed to file federal income tax returns disclosing income of $182,701.32 in 2002, $260,078.85 in 2003, $255,369.89 in 2004, $240,287.91 in 2005 and $220,996.40 in 2006.

 

Among the 11 witnesses presented by the government were IRS agents and representatives of financial institutions and accountants familiar with Maga's financial situation, Lockhart said.
The government also presented copies of Maga's paychecks and tax documents he received from his employers. 
 

Each count of willful failure to file an income tax return is punishable by up to one year imprisonment and a fine of $100,000. Maga's sentence will also include payment of $330,702.77 in taxes due, plus penalties and interest, as well as the costs of prosecution, Lockhart said.

 

What was he thinking? This doctor may very well be a bright individual but he sure made some very stupid decisions. He obviously did not know that most of his income could have been sheltered by legitimate tax strategies.

 

Just as we go to the emergency room when we have a pressing medical situation, Dr. Maga should have visited the "Tax Doctor" for his IRS emergency.