High-profile realtor's unpaid tax bills
It turns out that Matthew Quagliano, the Hunt real estate agent whose signs pepper North Buffalo, not only did not pay his state income taxes … he was indicted on two felonies last week in Albany for failing to pay $20,750 … he also failed to file his federal income taxes as well.
A story in today's Buffalo News shows that Quagliano failed to pay federal taxes for all but one year from 1996 to 2005. He owes the Internal Revenue Service $365,946.
Or he owed that until late last year, according to his attorney, who said Quagliano settled his IRS debt. The payment is not yet reflected at the Erie County Clerk's office.
Quagliano is not commenting, on the advice of his two attorneys, Joel L. Daniels and Michael P. Joy. Both, when asked why he failed to pay his taxes, said he was very busy, that he works long hours.
Is that an excuse for not paying taxes?
-- Michael Beebe
Everyone should pay their taxes. NYS Unified Court Attorney Grievance site shows how the legal system punishes their own for such offenses. Perhaps we should apply their guidelines. They seem to excuse many for personal problems. Perhaps we should too.
Posted by: disgusted again | March 26, 2008 at 08:25 AM
What would happen if we all stopped paying our taxes? I would suppose that we would have to think of another way to support our government,like maybe sales tax.
Posted by: michienzi | March 26, 2008 at 08:25 AM
I cant believe Peter Hunt would say "he might be too busy to pay is taxes." Obviously he is unethical in not only his business practices but also in his civic duties. Enabling people like this makes me wonder. As an owner he should take pride in his agents and demand ethics.
Posted by: honest agent | March 26, 2008 at 08:53 AM
I was an independant contractor, self employed, as a fashion stylist in NYCity for years, and I was paid in "lump sums" of money and was responsible for appropriating $ for my tax bills, which I did religiously every year, even if I had to file a late return with an extension from time to time. I ALWAYS FILED. This is simply immature laziness and wanton irresponsibility on his part. Thats why you hire an accountant!!!!!
Posted by: Suzstyle | March 26, 2008 at 09:19 AM
I take exception to the statement that Joel Daniels said about Matt Quagliano being a very busy guy, etc, etc. There are many, many very busy people in the work force and most of them/us pay our taxes withing the time frame allowed. In my opinion his long history of delinquency establishes a pattern of trying to avoid paying taxes, or maybe a good business stratgy because he probably negotiated his total debt down and paid 60 or 70 cents on the dollar. The IRS and state tax departments should take a different postion with repeat offenders and instead of negotiating down these debts establish very stiff penalties so that they hopefully learn a lesson. Part of being a good business person as well as an honorable citizen is doing your part for society by paying your taxes.
Posted by: George Correa | March 26, 2008 at 09:44 AM
I was shocked to read this story in the Buffalo News today that indicates local real estate agent Matt Quiglino has been caught not paying his taxes for the last 9 years!! Maybe even more shocking or pathetic was that when asked "why not?" those who know him claim he was just too busy.
“He’s one of the busiest real estate agents in the city,” Joy said, “and possibly had his priorities in the wrong place or wasn’t addressing the matters.”
“He works 24/7,” said attorney Joel L. Daniels. “He may be the busiest real estate agent in Western New York. He’s a very busy guy.”
Hmm, this reminds me of the time we made appointments to see a couple houses in North Buffalo that Mr. Quigliano was listing and he never showed up! or retured calls to our realtor! Too busy, indeed.
I think we all work hard, and to say someone was too busy to do the right thing -- moral and just -- doesn't hold much weight in my book.
Posted by: Christina | March 26, 2008 at 10:26 AM
No, being busy isn't an excuse not to pay, it is an excuse to get an accountant to handle your taxes!
How long does it take to hand your papers to a qualified CPA to do your taxes? 30 mins? An hour?
He has no excuse.
Posted by: Bob O. Bowie | March 26, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I am so sad. Poor Matt, he works so hard and then he has to pay those pesky tab bills. I mean who can expect a very rich young man to have spend time dealing with that???? Oh wait I have a million papers to grade, a test to write, a research project to design and a month of lesson plans to write! Once all these tears dry up, I should be able to get to it.
Matt should have spend at least a few weeks locked up. Wait till they get a hold of his white arse. You can rest assured he'll pay his taxes afterwards on time. If he forgets his spasms in his spinkster should remind him.
Posted by: Violin | March 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Look, I don'nt know alot about this guy but I do know that the taxes in this state are ridiculus and along with the sales tax and property tax and all the rest of the taxes on gasonline etc. This guy obvioulsly was making alot of money though his efforts and the government is getting paid their money with interest- so whats the big deal? He did not race out to contribute money to pay for war in Iraq or put money in the kiddie for Elliot Spitzers salary- or better yet get a public sector job though political connections to get cosmetic surgery?
It's disgusting to think anyone would take a high horse in this matter and pile on the guy-I pay my taxes because I have to, I file my taxes on time because I dont want to pay the penalties and interest for not- let the guy pay the money and leave him be. It's not like he is raping your wallet at toll booths or holding public office so he can hire subordinates to have sex with.
Posted by: Realist | March 26, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Not an excuse in the world can exempt a busy person from death and taxes. If you don't have the "time" it's because of pure greed-- the insatiable need to rake in the money in spite of other more important obligations.
Typical arrogant bully who believes he's invincible!
I do not begrudge independent contractors their competitive need to excel in their business, but record-keeping is an essential component of real success in business. At the very least, a "busy" person needs to hand over documents "thrown into a shoe box" to a personal CPA, minimally once per month.
No excuses, rich man!
Posted by: Lydia Bezou-Hojnacki | March 26, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Too busy counting his money . If he cheats my Uncle Sam how honest is he with clients ? I agree with Christina, He planned to negotiate for a big reduction in payment .
Posted by: Dorthy A | March 26, 2008 at 12:04 PM
A little further down in the story Peter Hunt does say that "theres no excuse for it".
Posted by: George Correa | March 26, 2008 at 02:59 PM
How is the Erie County Clerk's office involved in this? Has there been a judgment posted? a lien? How can a person with money let this stupidity happen? Or is he overspending, as many newly rich people do...then they discover they haven't put aside money for their obligations.
The chickens are coming home to roost!
Posted by: Lydia Bezou-Hojnacki | March 26, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Matt Qualiano cost me more than $7,000 in travel costs between South America and Buffalo when I attempted to by a house in the Deleware Disctrict. He absolutely did not tell the truth during the sales process in order to secure the deal. My deal fell apart, specifically because of him. In fact, I heard he recommends sellars to re-roof half of the homes prior to the sale. It makes you wonder what other deceptive tactics he uses when selling. Peter Hunt - fire him! ... unless you want your reputation at risk.
Posted by: FM | March 26, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Why is the Buffalo News covering this?
I do not know this guy and he is facing legal woes of his own making and deserves it.
Real Estate agents are on the whole out to squeeze every last dollar out of the seller & buyer. Someone needs to reform this gangster trade.
But, He is a private citizen who has paid his IRS bill and is facing state charges which his lawyers are working to resolve.
He is not an elected official, Sports hero, Community leader or and public person.
What is the Buffalo News incentive to cover this mundane story?
There are thousands of WNYers who are in similar tax situations of varying scale.
Why him? Did some real estate diva with a grudge convince the News to go after him?
Is it because he is gay?
Something smells at One News Plaza.
Posted by: Wonderin | March 26, 2008 at 04:59 PM
When a person has a history of routinely treating others badly, it is just human nature to see them uncomfortable, if even a little bit by the IRS. As unpleasant as the story may seem to some, to others it is just a matter of the what goes around...People expect and deserve good business practices when someone is dealing with something as precious as your home.
Posted by: disgusted again | March 26, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Hey,
So the guy made money...good for him. Instaed of catching the real criminals you want to concentrate on a guy who hasn't paid his taxes in 9 years...BIG DEAL-make him pay what he has to pay and move on. I agree with Lydia Bezou, all these high powered people (Spitzer-Iraqect.etc)get those people. Come on Buffalonians. Its what we concentrate on in life that makes me crazy. Lets take sports for instance. Everyone gets mad at the Sabres when we loose. Don't boo Danny Briere because he left his job for more money...wouldn't you...don't boo Brian Campbell cause he left for more money...wouldn't you. Boo Galisano for giving those guys up-his is not a mistake-while our team is loosing us die-hard sabres fans continue to watch and he continues to line his pockets...he's the guy you should boo. So in saying that take it easy on Matt he made a mistake-I agree a stupid one but HE will pay NOT you!
Posted by: janet | March 26, 2008 at 06:33 PM
So let's say everything is fine and there is no crime here. Duh...It is a crime and believe me, he owes tons. No matter how you slice it, his NOT paying his taxes costs me as a taxpayer to go after him with my tax money instead of my tax money helping to support what I want from my government. I can't even afford to go to a game to see your sports heros. Give me a break like you give him one. It is criminal not to pay your taxes! Time to grow up to the real rules.
Posted by: disgusted again | March 26, 2008 at 08:19 PM
I was so disgusted when I found out about this. I as a real estate agent pay my taxes on time every year. I have lost total respect for him... Unethical and greedy, just as I thought.
Posted by: Another Honest Agent | March 26, 2008 at 09:16 PM
I agree with all of you, he has no excuse not to file his taxes. As you can see, he owed over $70K in federal alone. Can you imagine what he made that year? Please don't, however, judge my brother in law, Michael P. Joy, his attorney. He is just doing his job defending his client and my brother in law is a honest, hard working attorney and father of four little ones. He knows that his client made bad choices but it's his job to defend him and he will to the best of his ability.
I think he'll learn his lesson after all of this.
Posted by: FabGirl | March 26, 2008 at 09:55 PM
TYPO
I meant, he owed $70K in Federal alone in ONE of the previous years..
Posted by: FabGirl | March 26, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Not paying his taxes does not surprise me.
Posted by: Honest Agent #3 | March 26, 2008 at 10:46 PM
The Buffalo News puts this guys tax problems on the front page but buries Pigeon/Casey crony Gary Parenti's DWI while he was trolling for hookers in the Falls. Check out the NF Gazette.http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local/local_story_085213950.html
Mr Righteous Candidate paid a known gang member $2 in change to find him a hooker!
Parenti by virtue of his 2006 run for Assembly & past public employment is a public figure...
Real Estate Boy is not..He is just an idiot.
Great News judgment Editors
Posted by: Wonderin | March 26, 2008 at 10:50 PM
None of this surprises me in the least. When we sold our house, the realtor from the company with whom we listed(NOT his) told us that it is a well-known fact in the real estate community that North Buffalo was rampant with price-fixing due to "one realtor in particular." Houses in North Buffalo are selling for tens of thousands less than they could, just because of one person's greed and haste to turn-over property rapidly. I would urge people looking to buy/sell a home in North Buffalo to choose their realtor carefully. If people like this are allowed to ply their trade in such a shady manner, they will continue to undercut property values to the point that their practices will ultimately undermine the stability of your neighborhood.
Posted by: Chestnut | March 27, 2008 at 06:06 AM
If you don't want people to "judge" you, don't do things that will make them notice. This format is a venting, if you will, for the frustration of lack of concern about anything that goes on anymore. Hopefully the children are watching and listening and making good choices. "Remember, just 'cause Johnny does something, doesn't mean we all should."
Posted by: disgusted again | March 27, 2008 at 08:04 AM