Red Wing man charged with 6 felonies for tax crimes

A Red Wing man is charged with six felony counts after failing to file and pay income tax.

According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, Eric Donald Olson is charged with three felony counts of failing to file individual income tax returns and three felony counts of failing to pay income tax.

The criminal complaint stated, Olson failed to file his state income tax returns and failed to pay income tax for tax years 2017 through 2019. The complaint alleges that Olson is a professional walleye angler receiving non-employee compensation from several outdoor equipment suppliers as well as marketing and media companies. The complaint states that Olson earned enough income from these companies during those years to be required to file income tax returns and pay income tax in Minnesota.

According to the complaint, it is estimated that Olson owes over $54,500 in income tax, penalties and interest.

Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Although most taxpayers comply with tax laws voluntarily, the department takes enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers to ensure that tax laws are administered fairly.