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Global News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Trump plans to pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley, convicted of fraud, tax evasion
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he's planning to pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley, best known for their reality show Chrisley Knows Best, which followed their tight-knit family and extravagant lifestyle that prosecutors said was boosted by bank fraud and hiding earnings from tax authorities. In 2022, Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison and his wife Julie was set to serve seven years behind bars after both were found guilty on charges of bank fraud, tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Julie was additionally convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice. The Chrisleys were each ordered to serve three years of supervised release after their prison sentences and were to pay US$17.8 million in restitution. The couple conspired to defraud banks in the Atlanta area out of more than $30 million in loans by submitting false documents. They were also found guilty of tax evasion after obscuring their earnings while showcasing a luxurious way of living that authorities said included high-priced cars, designer clothes, real estate and travel. Story continues below advertisement Prosecutors said the Chrisleys walked away from their responsibility for repayment when Todd declared bankruptcy and left $20-plus million in unpaid loans. 'It's a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope that we can do it by tomorrow. Is that OK? We'll try getting it done tomorrow,' Trump said in a call with their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, according to a video posted online by White House aide Margo Martin. 'I don't know them but give them my regards and wish them a good life,' Trump said to Savannah on Tuesday. 'Thank you so much, Mr. President,' Savannah replied. 'They've been given a pretty harsh treatment based on what I'm hearing,' Trump said of the Chrisleys a few moments later. BREAKING! President Trump calls @_ItsSavannah_ to inform her that he will be granting full pardons to her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley! Trump Knows Best! — Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) May 27, 2025 Story continues below advertisement In a social media post, the aide declared, 'Trump Knows Best!' Savannah took to X to celebrate the news, writing, 'This moment is bigger than just my family…it's about an administration that believes in second chances, that restores families, and that brings hope back to the American people.' 'To President Trump @realDonaldTrump and his team—thank you for believing in justice over vengeance. My fight was born out of love, but it was sustained by faith, truth, and the unshakable belief that our system should right its wrongs,' she added. 'To every child, spouse, and parent still fighting for their loved one—don't stop. Your voice matters. Your story matters. And I'll keep fighting for you, too.' Thank you, @KariLake. I am deeply humbled by your words. This moment is bigger than just my family…it's about an administration that believes in second chances, that restores families, and that brings hope back to the American people. To President Trump @realDonaldTrump and his… — Savannah Chrisley (@_ItsSavannah_) May 28, 2025 Story continues below advertisement Savannah also took to Instagram after she received the phone call from Trump and shared details of the conversation in a video posted to her nearly three million followers. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The president called me personally as I was walking into Sam's Club and notified me that he was signing pardon paperwork for both of my parents,' she said in the video, while wearing a gold Make America Great Again hat. 'So, both my parents are coming home tonight or tomorrow and I still don't believe it's real. I'm freaking out. The fact that the president called me, I will forever be grateful for President Trump, his administration and everyone along the way,' she said. She added that she was preparing to pick up her parents and getting the house ready for their return. 'We're getting some clothes together for mom and dad, getting their room put together upstairs, and I'm just speechless. I can't thank you guys enough for sticking with my family along the way and for loving us and supporting us,' she added. 'My parents get to start their lives over,' Savannah continued. 'President Trump didn't just commute their sentences. He gave them a full, unconditional pardon. So for that I am forever grateful. 'Thank you, President Trump. I vow to stand next to you and your administration and exposing the corruption and continue fighting for the men and women that are in prison. I will repay your kindness to every person I meet. Thank God for a president like Donald J. Trump.' Story continues below advertisement Harrison Fields, the principal deputy press secretary and special assistant to Trump, confirmed the president's plan to pardon the Chrisleys in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. 'The President is always pleased to give well-deserving Americans a second chance, especially those who have been unfairly targeted and overly prosecuted by an unjust justice system,' Fields said. 'President Trump called Savannah and her brother from the Oval Office to personally inform them that he would be pardoning their parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, whose sentences were far too harsh.' Story continues below advertisement On Monday, Trump also pardoned Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted on fraud and bribery charges. The president posted online that Jenkins and his family 'have been dragged through HELL by a Corrupt and Weaponized Biden DOJ.' Trump has also moved to pardon Paul Walczak, a Florida health-care executive imprisoned on tax charges, whose mother helped expose the contents of a diary kept by Ashley Biden, daughter of former president Joe Biden. And, in April, he pardoned Nevada Republican Michele Fiore, who was awaiting sentencing on federal charges that she used money meant for a statue honouring a slain police officer for personal costs, including plastic surgery. The Chrisleys' lawyer, Alex Little, said the pardon 'corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family and community.' 'President Trump recognized what we've argued from the beginning: Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile. Their prosecution was tainted by multiple constitutional violations and political bias,' Little said in a statement. 'Todd and Julie's case is exactly why the pardon power exists. Thanks to President Trump, the Chrisley family can now begin healing and rebuilding their lives.' Before the Chrisleys became reality television stars, they, and a former business partner, submitted false documents to banks in the Atlanta area to obtain fraudulent loans, prosecutors said during their trial. They accused the couple of spending lavishly, then using new fraudulent loans to pay off old ones. Story continues below advertisement A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last summer upheld the Chrisleys' convictions but found a legal error in how the trial judge had calculated Julie Chrisley's sentence by holding her accountable for the entire bank fraud scheme. The appellate panel sent her case back to the lower court for resentencing. Savannah spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where she talked about her parents' imprisonment. She said then that they were 'persecuted by rogue prosecutors' — echoing Trump's rhetoric about the criminal justice system as he faced investigations and criminal cases of his own. She said Trump had been targeted for his politics, and said her parents likewise were targeted because of their conservative beliefs and high profile. 'I'll never forget what the prosecutors said in the most heavily Democratic county in the state, before an Obama-appointed judge. He called us the 'Trumps of the South,'' Savannah said in her remarks at the convention. 'He meant it as an insult but, let me tell you, boy, do I wear it as a badge of honour.' Story continues below advertisement The news of the Chrisleys' pardon comes one week after Lifetime announced the family's return to reality TV with a new docuseries, titled The Untitled Chrisleys Project. The new docuseries will be 'pulling back the curtain' on the Chrisleys, with 'unprecedented access to their lives in a deeply personal and dramatic new series.' The family's first show, titled Chrisley Knows Best, aired for 10 seasons from 2014 through 2023 and followed the tight-knit, boisterous family living in the Nashville area. Much of the series emphasized Todd's obsessive yet comedic efforts to keep tabs on three of his kids, two of whom were in their 20s, and his mother. The series had a spinoff called Growing Up Chrisley, featuring his kids Chase and Savannah, who moved to Los Angeles. It aired for four seasons after premiering in 2019. Todd also briefly hosted a talk show, According to Chrisley, for the network. Todd and Julie also had a podcast called Chrisley Confessions. — With files from The Associated Press
Forbes
14-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Five Requirements For Filing Taxes For Free Using IRS Direct File
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 15: A sign marks the entrance to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ... More headquarters building on September 15, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by J.) With taxpayers paying hundreds of dollars to complete and file their income tax returns each year, the IRS has rolled out a free program called IRS Direct File to taxpayers in 25 states. While this program could save taxpayers a lot of money, some taxpayers will not qualify. This article discusses the qualifications to help taxpayers determine if the IRS Direct File program can be used for the upcoming tax filing deadline. April 15th marks the deadline for individuals to submit their 2024 income tax returns and pay their tax bills. Unlike the majority of taxpayers filing 2023 income tax returns, taxpayers in 25 states can file this year's tax returns for free directly with the IRS. The new program called IRS Direct File has been piloted across a smaller sample of states in recent years before offering it out to a much larger swath of the population for this year's filing season. Despite the inherent financial benefit of now being able to file taxes without using tax prep software or a CPA firm, many taxpayers still do not know much about this new program. IRS Direct File is a historic and novel program designed to allow taxpayers to complete and file their taxes for free directly with the IRS. A key catch to this program is that it is not available to everybody. In particular, participation in this program follows five key criteria: Assuming all five requirements are met, the IRS Direct File provides substantial cost savings to taxpayers. For instance, it is estimated that the average cost to file a simple tax return using a CPA is $220. This amount is comparable to tax software providers like Turbo Tax, which advertises costs at over $100 to help taxpayers do their taxes themselves or over $200 for filing taxes with the assistance of an expert. Importantly, these cost savings are borne by those who benefit from it the most, as those with high wages are not eligible for this service. Lastly, the Direct File program limits the uncertainty of taxpayers filing their tax returns as these are remitted directly to the IRS. However, not all are on board with this service. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims that this service is an illegal and blatant power grab due to the use and access of personal taxpayer information. In a Business Insider article, this agency also claims that these services belong to the private sector and that putting them under the federal government's purview is inefficient. Despite the concerns over the plausibility of the IRS Direct File program, it remains available for filing 2024 income tax returns and could be expanded to more states in future years. As taxpayers near the April 15th deadline, they should be aware that this program is an option available to them for filing their 2024 income tax returns.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TRUE or FALSE: Does Georgia have a tax deadline extension for 2025?
It's April 2025. For most Americans, that means it's tax season and bills are about to come due. The national tax filing deadline is April 15, but in some states, there's been an extension due to damages from severe storms in 2024. So, is Georgia among the places with a tax deadline extension? True/False: True, Georgia is one of seven states to receive a tax deadline postponement from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The deadline extension was announced in October 2024, giving those in the qualifying areas until May 1 to file their taxes. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: GA 911 caller hears dispatcher ordering McGriddle during emergency call 6 charged after shooting at Marietta apartment complex leads to chase, crash Be weather aware: Damaging winds, large hail possible with storm risk today While seven states did receive postponements, not all of the states have the extension statewide. Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas are extended for the whole of those states, but only 41 Florida counties, eight Tennessee counties and six counties and a single city in Virginia have extensions to May 1. For those who are getting the deadline extension, the IRS said the following people or entities qualify: Any individual or business that has a 2024 return normally due during March or April 2025. Any individual, business or tax-exempt organization that has a valid extension to file their 2023 federal return. The IRS noted, however, that payments on these returns are not eligible for the extra time because they were due last spring before the hurricane occurred. 2024 quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on Jan. 15, 2025, and 2025 estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, 2025. Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2024, and Jan. 31 and April 30, 2025. For businesses that make payroll and excise tax deposits, the IRS is also making penalty relief available. More information is available online here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Yes, the IRS allows tax deductions on some pet expenses, like service animals
Claim: For tax filing year 2024, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service was allowing deductions on pet expenses. Rating: What's True: It was indeed possible to claim tax deductions in certain scenarios, such as medical costs for licensed service animals, performance animals, donations to qualifying nonprofits that support animal welfare, or pet-related moving costs for active-duty service members forced to relocate due to orders. What's False: However, pets couldn't be claimed as dependents in the same way as qualifying children or relatives. Further, tax deductions for service animals existed before the 2024 filing year. As the deadline for U.S. citizens to file their 2024 tax returns loomed in late March 2025, claims pertaining to purported tax deductions for pet owners circulated on social media. Multiple users on Instagram (archived, archived), TikTok (archived) and Threads (archived) posted about this alleged "exciting news for pet owners," though most posts buried crucial context, if it was present at all. Nearly all instances claimed these pet-related deductions began in the tax-preparation year of 2025 (for 2024 filings). @mikeagrusslaw Take advantage of this for your pets! 🙌 #taxdeduction #taxseason #taxbenefits #taxes2025 #pets #lawyer ♬ original sound - MikeAgrussLaw Some truth exists to the claim that the IRS allows certain tax deductions on pet expenses, but critical requirements must be met. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax preparation services, these deductions are not simply for standard pet owners, nor can pets be claimed as a dependent in the same way as qualifying children or relatives. Rather, most pet-related deductions pertain to care for a licensed service animal, according to the IRS' Publication 502, which also "explains the itemized deduction for medical and dental expenses that you claim on Schedule A (Form 1040)." Further, these service-animal deductions have been possible before 2024. For example, Publication 502 for the filing year 2008 also cites possible deductions for service animals. For all of these reasons, we've rated this claim as a mixture of truth and falsehood. The "Guide Dog or Other Service Animal" section of Publication 502 for the filing year 2024 reads: You can include in medical expenses the costs of buying, training, and maintaining a guide dog or other service animal to assist a visually impaired or hearing disabled person, or a person with other physical disabilities. In general, this includes any costs, such as food, grooming, and veterinary care, incurred in maintaining the health and vitality of the service animal so that it may perform its duties. Important to note is the language above specifies "physical disabilities." On a page dedicated to tax deductions on the National Service Animal Registry website, the organization adds that "you are only eligible if your medical expense exceeds 10% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)," which would include "wages, business income, dividends, and other income." The blog for Intuit TurboTax, a tax preparation service, cites additional instances that may allow for pet-related tax deductions, such as owning a business that requires the use of animals. This could include performance animals (such as those used on a movie set) or even those that work as a social media influencer. TurboTax says: If your pet is making money as an influencer, it could be viewed by the IRS as your own self-employed business if your pet is generating income for you in the dog modeling/acting category on a regular basis. In some cases, pet-related expenses could be considered business expenses and offset against your pet's earnings. TurboTax also cites expenses related to fostering animals from a qualified 501(c)(3) organization as a potential write-off, including pet food, veterinary bills and supplies. IRS Publication 526 additionally cites donations related to qualified nonprofit organizations that "are religious, charitable, educational, scientific, or literary in purpose, or that work to prevent cruelty to children or animals" are also eligible for deduction. Newsweek points out other scenarios where pet expense tax deductions may be possible: For "active-duty military member[s] moving due to orders, pet relocation costs can still be claimed as part of moving expenses." The Newsweek article also states, "For those setting up a pet trust, legal fees associated with establishing the trust may be deductible in some cases. However, routine pet expenses such as food and toys are still not deductible under personal tax returns." However, tax deductions can be complex, nuanced and particular to an individual's financial holdings and employment status. This article should not be considered financial advice. Please visit a qualified financial adviser if you have questions about items that may be eligible for tax deductions. About Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses | Internal Revenue Service. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. "Can You Claim Pets on Tax Returns? What to Know." Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025, Codys. "Service Animal Tax Deductions: Maximizing Tax Benefits." NSARCO, 27 Apr. 2022, Dependents | Internal Revenue Service. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. Publication 526 (2024), Charitable Contributions | Internal Revenue Service. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025. TurboTaxBlogTeam. "Is There a Pet Tax Credit? Are Pet Expenses Deductible?" Blog, 22 Jan. 2024,
Chicago Tribune
24-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Tax season is a prime time for scams. IRS uncertainty could add to the issues this year
NEW YORK — There's a lot of information (and money) on the table during tax season. That also makes it a prime time for scams. Year-round, fraudsters may use a handful of common tactics to try to steal your identity, money or other sensitive information. As you prepare your annual tax return, due April 15, experts stress it's important to be extra vigilant. This year, scammers might take particular advantage of uncertainty stemming from recent workforce cuts impacting thousands of jobs at the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. These layoffs and the potential for even more widespread reductions also raise questions about resources, including the IRS's bandwidth to respond to scams reported by consumers. Here's what to know about tax scams and how to stay safe: Identify the signs of tax scams Tax scammers may try to reach you in a number of different ways — from lookalike emails, texts or phone calls impersonating the IRS to unsolicited social media offers that promise a suspiciously high refund. But there are a handful of common red flags to keep an eye out for, including: — Sense of urgency — Isolation tactics or threats — Promises of a big payday — Suspicious website links Cybersecurity experts stress that scammers prey on emotion — and will often try to evoke fear or uncertainty. Many tax scams will ask you to act fast or click on a malicious link right away. Others will make you think you did something wrong, going as far as threatening an arrest if you don't respond. Scammers may also isolate you from contacting others, such as a trusted accounting professional or even a family member. Many tax scams also advertise big payouts, but at a price. Some 'ghost' preparers, for example, will charge you for preparing your tax return — often with promises of maximizing your refund — but never sign it. They may then file a fraudulent return in your name, with an inflated income or fake deductions to boost the refund, and switch the bank account listed to claim your money. The IRS will never initiate contact via email, text or social media with requests for your personal information — and urges consumers to only use trusted, accredited tax professionals if you need help preparing your return. Those who have fallen victim to scams are also encouraged to report them. You can find more information on the agency's official website. What's different this year? Tax scams can be all the more convincing if they meet the moment. And this year, experts warn that cyber criminals or 'social engineers' might take particular advantage of uncertainty around the IRS cuts. 'Uncertainty is probably one of the biggest motivating emotions that social engineers take advantage of,' said Dave Chronister, a prominent 'ethical hacker' and CEO of Parameter Security, noting that scammers might use news of these cuts and impersonate the IRS to falsely promise taxpayers 'new' ways of filing. Similar tactics emerged during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and following legitimate rounds of federal aid — with some scammers making false claims about additional stimulus checks, for example. All it takes is just 'a little bit of common knowledge' to 'nudge you' into trusting them, Chronister explains. Beyond how scammers use the news, the IRS workforce cuts could slow the agency's ability to actually respond to scams, Chronister and others note. As a result, malicious websites or predatory social media campaigns may not be taken down as quickly — and victims of fraudulent returns could have to wait longer for answers. 'There is potential for reduced oversight,' said Chris Pierson, chief executive of cybersecurity firm BlackCloak. 'If you have less individuals to be proactive within an agency that is housing, I mean, an amazing treasure trove of data and information — that obviously is concerning … (and could) create a riskier environment for the consumer.' Asked for comment, the IRS pointed to its 'Dirty Dozen' list of common tax scams to watch out for this year, among other steps taxpayers can take to protect themselves from identity theft and fraud. But the agency did not immediately comment on whether recent or future workforce cuts would impact its enforcement resources. Scams are also becoming more sophisticated, most recently thanks to the rising adoption of generative artificial intelligence. Experts warn that this technology is being used create 'hyper-realistic' phishing messages, including video or audio deepfakes, and can allow scammers to target more people at once through automation. Pierson also warns of the fallout from recent high-profile data breaches — including the National Public Data breach, which made headlines last year for reportedly leaking a massive amount of sensitive information on the dark web, including full names, social security numbers, contact information and mailing addresses. Having that information out there could lead to more fraudulent filings, he explains, or 'confidence scams' — where cyber criminals share one piece of information they have, like an address, to get people to trust them and share more. How can I protect my information and money? File as soon as you can. Nobody is eager to sit down and do their taxes, but getting it out of the way early — and before any scammers potentially try to file something in your name — makes a huge difference, Chronister explains. He adds that taxpayers can play it safe by sticking to what they know. 'If you've always been using TurboTax, use TurboTax. If you always use an accountant, use your accountant,' Chronister said. He notes that you should also keep your information safe by password-protecting any past filings downloaded to your device and using a VPN when on public Wi-Fi. The IRS also suggests setting up an identity protection PIN, a six-digit number that can help protect you from someone else filing in your name. You can also freeze your credit — which experts recommend as an added line of defense against future identity theft and fraud, even if you haven't been scammed. Freezing your credit prevents any new credit accounts from being created in your name. And you can always temporarily 'unfreeze' if a check is needed to rent an apartment or apply for a loan. Credit freezes can be set up through three nationwide credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. And, again, remember that the IRS won't randomly contact you by email, text or phone. When in doubt, go to the official IRS website and reach out directly. Avoiding scams can also come down to pausing before you click or act on anything. 'Take a breath, count to 10 and then go, 'OK … is this too good to be true?'' Chronister sad. ''Is my gut telling me something is off?'' Chronister adds that social engineering is about emotion, not intelligence — and anyone can fall for it. 'It's human to fall for these (scams),' he said. 'They've been here since the beginning of mankind … So you have to stay vigilant, but don't panic. Just keep your gut check going.'
