Franchise Tax Board Names Top Tax Dodgers in Santa Cruz County

By ALEXANDER NGUYEN, BEA KARNES and DAVE COLBY (Patch Staff)

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY - With the deadline to file taxes just around the corner, the state of California decided to shame some deadbeat taxpayers.

Twice a year, in April and October, the state Franchise Tax Board publishes a list of the top tax dodgers in the state.

In its list of the "Top 500 Delinquent Taxpayers," the FTB includes individuals as well as businesses that have not paid their taxes. Collectively these deadbeats owe the state $266 million in income taxes.

Topping the list from Santa Cruz County is Shawn M Keck of Santa Cruz, who owes a whopping $1,567,615.51. He is the only Santa Cruz County individual resident listed in the top 500 in California.

One Santa Cruz company was included in the list. The FTB says The Museum of Musical Instruments in Santa Cruz owes nearly $500k in delinquent tax payments.

Top individuals owing taxes from the Santa Cruz County:

• Keck, Shawn M - Santa Cruz, CA 95060 - $1,567,615.51

Top companies owing taxes from Santa Cruz County:

• The Museum of Musical Instruments - Santa Cruz, CA 95060 - $488,932.50

Since the list's inception in 2007, California has collected more than $507 million from delinquent taxpayers.

Delinquent taxpayers were notified about their delinquency 30 days before their names were placed on the list.

Click here to view the complete list.

-image via ShutterStock