The IRS is Ready to Take Your Marijuana Money

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The IRS has a web page for marijuana business owners to pay their taxes. But first…

CCE in Michigan

Marijuana is still a controlled substance schedule 1 in Michigan even though the people voted to legalize it. There is a reason for that some will learn soon enough. Anyhow… The State and the IRS have conspired and Joined the CCE to take their cut.

A CCE in Michigan is a 20 year felony. If you’ve ever been threatened by a prosecutor for a CCE don’t be mad… it is what it is…right…? The times they are a changing…right?

But wait there’s more… prosecutors have to throw racketeering and conspiracy on there too as well as whatever else they can throw against the wall to see what sticks…and you… well you have to defend yourself and the more charges the more you have to pay to defend yourself. It’s a war of attrition and the prosecutors have unlimited funds.

Here’s one of The Law In Michigan

750.159i Prohibited conduct.

Sec. 159i. (1) A person employed by, or associated with, an enterprise shall not knowingly conduct or participate in the affairs of the enterprise directly or indirectly through a pattern of racketeering activity. (2) A person shall not knowingly acquire or maintain an interest in or control of an enterprise or real or personal property used or intended for use in the operation of an enterprise, directly or indirectly, through a pattern of racketeering activity. (3) A person who has knowingly received any proceeds derived directly or indirectly from a pattern of racketeering activity shall not directly or indirectly use or invest any part of those proceeds, or any proceeds derived from the use or investment of any of those proceeds, in the establishment or operation of an enterprise, or the acquisition of any title to, or a right, interest, or equity in, real or personal property used or intended for use in the operation of an enterprise. (4) A person shall not conspire or attempt to violate subsection (1), (2), or (3).

Here’s some more detail for Michigan CCE

CCE Federally

Sometimes known as The Kingpin Statute or the Continuing Criminal Enterprise Statute (CCE) is a federal law, which is focused on persons who may be considered “drug lords” or maintain a supervisory role in drug trafficking on a substantial basis. The CCE statute usually targets organized crime or drug “kingpins.”

Continuing Criminal Enterprise Defined in 21 U.S.C. 848, (gender specific)

(a)Penalties; forfeitures

Any person who engages in a continuing criminal enterprise shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 20 years and which may be up to life imprisonment, to a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $2,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $5,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, and to the forfeiture prescribed in section 853 of this title; except that if any person engages in such activity after one or more prior convictions of him under this section have become final, he shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which may not be less than 30 years and which may be up to life imprisonment, to a fine not to exceed the greater of twice the amount authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $4,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $10,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, and to the forfeiture prescribed in section 853 of this title.

(b)Life imprisonment for engaging in continuing criminal enterprise

Any person who engages in a continuing criminal enterprise shall be imprisoned for life and fined in accordance with subsection (a), if—(1)such person is the principal administrator, organizer, or leader of the enterprise or is one of several such principal administrators, organizers, or leaders; and

(2) (A)the violation referred to in subsection (c) (1) involved at least 300 times the quantity of a substance described in subsection 841(b)(1)(B) of this title, or

(B)the enterprise, or any other enterprise in which the defendant was the principal or one of several principal administrators, organizers, or leaders, received $10 million dollars in gross receipts during any twelve-month period of its existence for the manufacture, importation, or distribution of a substance described in section 841(b)(1)(B) of this title.

(c)“Continuing criminal enterprise” definedFor purposes of subsection (a), a person is engaged in a continuing criminal enterprise if—(1)he violates any provision of this subchapter or subchapter II the punishment for which is a felony, and

(2)such violation is a part of a continuing series of violations of this subchapter or subchapter II—(A)which are undertaken by such person in concert with five or more other persons with respect to whom such person occupies a position of organizer, a supervisory position, or any other position of management, and

(B)from which such person obtains substantial income or resources.

(d)Suspension of sentence and probation prohibited

In the case of any sentence imposed under this section, imposition or execution of such sentence shall not be suspended, probation shall not be granted, and the Act of July 15, 1932 (D.C. Code, secs. 24–203—24–207), shall not apply.

(e)Death penalty

(1)In addition to the other penalties set forth in this section—(A)any person engaging in or working in furtherance of a continuing criminal enterprise, or any person engaging in an offense punishable under section 841(b)(1)(A)[1] of this title or section 960(b)(1)[1] of this title who intentionally kills or counsels, commands, induces, procures, or causes the intentional killing of an individual and such killing results, shall be sentenced to any term of imprisonment, which shall not be less than 20 years, and which may be up to life imprisonment, or may be sentenced to death; and(B)any person, during the commission of, in furtherance of, or while attempting to avoid apprehension, prosecution or service of a prison sentence for, a felony violation of this subchapter or subchapter II who intentionally kills or counsels, commands, induces, procures, or causes the intentional killing of any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer engaged in, or on account of, the performance of such officer’s official duties and such killing results, shall be sentenced to any term of imprisonment, which shall not be less than 20 years, and which may be up to life imprisonment, or may be sentenced to death.

(2)As used in paragraph (1)(B), the term “law enforcement officer” means a public servant authorized by law or by a Government agency or Congress to conduct or engage in the prevention, investigation, prosecution or adjudication of an offense, and includes those engaged in corrections, probation, or parole functions.(g) [2] to (p) Repealed. Pub. L. 109–177, title II, § 221(2), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 231(q)Repealed. Pub. L. 109–177, title II, §§ 221(4), 222(c), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 231, 232(r)Repealed. Pub. L. 109–177, title II, § 221(3), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 231(s)

Special provision for methamphetamine

For the purposes of subsection (b), in the case of continuing criminal enterprise involving methamphetamine or its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, paragraph (2)(A) shall be applied by substituting “200” for “300”, and paragraph (2)(B) shall be applied by substituting “$5,000,000” for “$10 million dollars”.

So the IRS will take your money – They will even take cash because you can’t bank because it is still considered an illegal business. Here are their instructions.

Hopefully they will spend it wisely… or not.

Enter… the IRS

A key component in promoting the highest degree of voluntary compliance on the part of taxpayers is helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities while also enforcing the law with integrity and fairness to all. This article provides general guidance including frequently asked questions for taxpayers in the marijuana industry.

I.R.C. § 280E and the Marijuana Industry

Businesses that traffic marijuana in contravention of federal or state law are subject to the limitations of Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 280E. The Marijuana Industry FAQs, linked below, address federal tax filing and information report requirements specific to taxpayers in this industry.

Income Reporting

Income from any source is taxable and taxpayers are generally required to file a tax return to report that income to the IRS. Many marijuana-industry businesses conduct transactions in cash, which need to be reported, like any other form of payment. See Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, for more details.

Cash Payment Options

Cash payment options are available for unbanked taxpayers. Some IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers accept cash. Call 844-545-5640 for a location near you to schedule an appointment. Publication 5435 (PDF) provides additional details about cash payment options.

Large Cash Amounts

Any person in a trade or business who receives more than $10,000 in cash in a single transaction or in related transactions must file Form 8300 (PDF), Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business, within 15 days after receiving payment.

Estimated Payments

Small business taxpayers often need to make quarterly estimated tax payments to cover their tax obligation. Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, will help to figure these payments. IRS Direct Pay is the fastest and easiest way to make these payments. The Treasury Department’s (EFTPS) system is also an option.

Records

Good records assist in monitoring a business’s progress, tracking deductible expenses and can substantiate items reported on tax returns. A good recordkeeping system includes a summary of all business transactions. Generally, it is best to record transactions daily.

More Information

LINKS

IRS – Marijuana Industry Page
IRS – Marijuana Industry Frequently Asked Questions

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