BRANCHVILLE BOROUGH, N.J. (Sussex County) — A Sussex County man has been indicted for allegedly filing a fraudulent state tax return in which he claimed a veteran’s exemption he was not entitled to, according to an announcement Tuesday from New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ).
William Hayden, 58, of Branchville, was indicted on one count of third-degree filing a fraudulent tax return.
“Our tax system relies on everyone filing a true and accurate tax return,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Fraudulently claiming an exemption reserved for military veterans is something we will not tolerate.”
According to court documents, Hayden allegedly prepared or caused the filing of a fraudulent New Jersey Gross Income Tax Return on July 14, 2020, for the tax year ending December 31, 2019. The return falsely indicated that Hayden was a veteran by checking the “Spouse/CU Partner Veteran” exemption box, allowing him to receive a $6,000 exemption and avoid approximately $382 in taxes.
Officials said Hayden is not a veteran and was not entitled to claim the exemption.
“Attempting to avoid payment of taxes by fraudulently claiming veterans’ status is a violation of our tax laws that cannot go unpunished,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton.
If convicted, Hayden faces a potential sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
