Decatur County Resident Pleads to Tax Evasion

DECATURVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Wayne Taylor pleading guilty to tax evasion on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Judge J. Brent Bradberry accepted Taylor's guilty plea to one felony charge of tax evasion related to presenting false documents for a boat registration to the Decatur County Clerk's Office. Judge Bradberry sentenced Taylor to one year of supervised probation and ordered him to pay $2,720 in restitution.

"The Department of Revenue strives to promote voluntary compliance of Tennessee's tax laws by educating taxpayers and pursuing criminal sanctions for accountability of fraudulent actors," Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said. "This guilty plea underscores the department's efforts to ensure a level playing field and a fair administration of Tennessee's tax laws."

The department pursued the criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney General Neil Thompson's Office. Citizens who suspect violations of Tennessee's revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hotline at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389).

The Department of Revenue is responsible for administering state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws, as well as collecting the taxes and fees associated with those laws. The department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2025 fiscal year, it collected over $21 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $5 billion in local taxes and fees. To learn more about the department, visit https://www.tn.gov/revenue.

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