Spokane CPA admits filing false tax returns

A Spokane certified public accountant pleaded guilty Tuesday to filing false tax returns in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Roger Stadtmueller, 53, was indicted last year by a grand jury on eight counts of federal tax fraud and evasion. He pleaded guilty to three counts of filing false tax returns and faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison when he is sentenced in October.

Stadtmueller created Zazz Inc. in 2005 at the same time he was also operating the fiancial firm Stadtmueller & Associates. He sold the financial firm in August 2014.

He understated the gross receipts of Zazz Inc. by approximately $1.8 million on tax returns filed for 2006, 2007 and 2008, according to a news release from the Justice Department’s Tax Division and the Eastern District of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Stadtmueller has agreed to pay $400,000 in restitution to the IRS, the news release said. He also faces additional financial penalties at his sentencing.

His CPA license expired on June 30 and has not been renewed.