In a significant development, Michael Saylor and his company, MicroStrategy, have agreed to settle a tax evasion lawsuit by paying $40 million to Washington D.C. The litigation, spearheaded by Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, alleged Saylor falsely claimed Florida residency to avoid paying D.C. income tax from 2005 to 2021. This resulted in over $25 million in evaded taxes. Despite the financial penalty, Saylor has firmly denied the allegations, contending that he has always been a Florida resident and never lived in D.C.

This case is notably the first under D.C.’s updated False Claims Act, which aims to incentivize whistleblowers to report instances of tax evasion. The IRS investigation and subsequent settlement have made headlines, reflecting the growing focus on ensuring corporate and individual compliance with tax laws.

Key Takeaways

• Michael Saylor and MicroStrategy settled a tax evasion lawsuit by paying $40 million.
• The lawsuit was led by Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb.
• Saylor allegedly claimed Florida residency to avoid over $25 million in D.C. income taxes.
• This case marks the first application of D.C.’s revised False Claims Act.
• Despite the settlement, Michael Saylor maintains his innocence.
• The case underscores heightened IRS scrutiny on tax compliance.

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