The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue recently concluded an investigation that resulted in the conviction of Scharneitha Britton, the owner of Kinfolks BBQ in Smyrna. Britton had previously pleaded guilty to tax and theft charges stemming from the investigation.

In a court hearing held on Friday, Judge Barry Tidwell sentenced Britton to six years of probation and ordered her to pay $68,205.73 in restitution. The sentencing follows a series of indictments handed down by a Rutherford County Grand Jury, which charged Britton with one Class B felony count of theft over $60,000, 13 counts of money laundering (also Class B), and 36 felony counts of tax evasion. These indictments allege that Britton underreported taxable sales and failed to remit additional sales tax collected from her customers.

Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “Investigations, such as this one, should warn retailers that failing to properly remit all the sales tax monies they collect is a crime. The taxes collected from customers are property of the state and local governments at all times. Customers have a right to know that the tax they pay will be remitted to the state and used for the public good of all Tennesseans.”

The Tennessee Department of Revenue worked in cooperation with District Attorney Jennings Jones’ office to pursue this criminal case. Citizens who suspect violations of Tennessee's revenue laws are encouraged to call the toll-free tax fraud hotline at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389).

As the agency responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws, the Department of Revenue plays a crucial role in collecting taxes and fees associated with those laws. During the 2023 fiscal year alone, the department collected $22 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $4.7 billion in taxes and fees for local governments, representing about 87 percent of total state revenue.

Source: TN Department of Revenue

For more information about the Tennessee Department of Revenue and its efforts to uphold tax laws and ensure compliance, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.