Sullivan County Businessman Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

BLOUNTVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Friday’s guilty plea of Manjit Inderpal Dhaliwal to tax evasion, a Class E felony.

Judge R. Jerry Beck accepted Dhaliwal’s guilty plea to one count of tax evasion. He was fined $2,000, and Judge Beck placed him on two years of supervised probation. Restitution has been paid in full. Dhaliwal is a managing member of M&M Mart in Kingsport. A Sullivan County grand jury previously indicted Dhaliwal on tax evasion.

“Our state’s tax structure depends on voluntary taxpayer compliance to remit money collected from customers,” said Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano. “Taxpayers who fail to remit collected taxes violate the public trust and the criminal laws of Tennessee. This guilty plea highlights our rigorous and impartial administration of the state’s tax laws.”

The Department pursued this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney General Barry Staubus’ 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 and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws.  The Department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2016 fiscal year, it collected $13.5 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.6 billion in taxes and fees for local governments.  To learn more about the Department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.

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