​Jenkintown Business Owner Accused Of Tax Fraud

JENKINTOWN, PA — The owner of a Jenkintown home health care business is in hot water this week after being accused of filing false tax returns from 2013 to 2015.

The Philadelphia field office of the IRS's criminal investigation division on Thursday announced Manilal Mathai, 56, has been charged with three counts of filing a false tax return.

Investigators allege Mathai, who owns 50 percent of Healthcare Stat Home Care, fraudulently inflated expenses on three tax returns, which decreased his net income on paper and ultimately led to some $287,768 in taxes going unpaid.

“Mr. Mathai is alleged to have knowingly taken steps to fraudulently reduce his tax liability,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso. "We all have a responsibility to file a tax return when required and to pay the correct amount of tax. Filing a fraudulent tax return to evade paying taxes is, not only a violation of federal law, it is also stealing from honest taxpayers.”

If convicted, Mathai could serve up to nine years behind bars and be made to pay a fine of up to $750,000.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Grigsby.