Snohomish County business charged with tax theft

OLYMPIA – Aug. 22, 2017 – The Department of Revenue filed charges against a Snohomish County business that allegedly stole more than $95,000 in retail sales tax intended to fund public services.

Christopher W. Bullock of Snohomish is accused of grossly underreporting business income from NW Custom Decks and withholding $95,481.58 in retail sales tax between 2008 and 2011.

The charges were filed on Aug. 2 with the Snohomish County Superior Court by the state Attorney General’s office on behalf of Revenue.

A trial has been scheduled to begin Nov. 3. If convicted, Bullock faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

The withholdings were discovered during a routine audit of the business by Revenue in 2012. The audit uncovered documentation showing the company collected the required sales tax, but failed to report it on its annual combined excise tax returns.

NW Custom Decks has been registered in Washington as a sole proprietorship since Oct. 1, 2003.

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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