Chelan County restaurant owner convicted of tax theft

OLYMPIA – Aug. 24, 2017 – Today, the Department of Revenue announced a conviction was made against a Chelan County restaurant owner for stealing more than a quarter-million dollars in retail sales tax intended to fund public services.

Natalie Ann Mill of Wenatchee was convicted in July in Chelan County Superior Court of grossly underreporting business income from Applewood Grill and Katz Chop House, and withholding $256,620 in retail sales tax between 2008 and 2012.

Mill was sentenced to 20 days on work crew, a $10,000 fine and court costs of $800. Revenue intends to seek restitution of the quarter-million in unpaid taxes.

The original charges brought against Mill and her ex-husband, Todd M. Mill, were filed by the state Attorney General’s office on behalf of Revenue in February 2015. Todd Mill was found not guilty of tax theft in 2016.

The withholdings were discovered during routine audits of the two restaurants by DOR in 2012 and 2014.

Collecting but not remitting retail sales tax is considered theft under Washington state law. Businesses engaged in the sales of retail goods and personal property in Washington are required to collect state sales tax from customers and hold it in trust until it is returned to the state.

Retail sales tax is the largest source of state revenues, supporting vital services that benefit Washington’s residents and the economy.

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