Indian-origin man sentenced to 5 years in US for running $27m-tax fraud scheme, helped clients dodge taxes

A Texas man of Indian origin has been sentenced to five years in prison for running a scheme that helped clients avoid paying taxes and facilitating the concealment of more than $27 million in income from the US government.Aanand Shukla was sentenced to 60 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. The scheme targeted business owners across the country between 2017 and 2025, according to the DOJ.Shukla and his co-conspirators promoted a trust-based arrangement that was marketed as a way for clients to retain control of their money while avoiding taxes on most of their business income. The packages were sold for between $25,000 and $55,000, with some clients quoted fees of up to $225,000.The scheme was promoted through seminars, webinars, podcasts and direct sales pitches. Shukla told clients to route about 98% of their business income through a series of trusts and a private family foundation.He also instructed participants to use trust accounts to pay personal costs, including vehicle expenses, entertainment and mortgage payments, and claim them as tax deductions.Shukla prepared trust documents, trained other promoters and directed clients to tax preparers he knew would take part in the arrangement, according to court records.Prosecutors said he personally used and promoted the tax shelter while helping conceal more than $27 million in income from the IRS.Shukla pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States on March 10.The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. Prosecutors from the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division's Tax Section handled the case.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.