The South Carolina Department of Revenue has arrested a 53-year-old woman from Georgetown County, charging her with three counts related to failing to file state income tax returns and for submitting falsified withholding documents to her employer.
Charges and alleged conduct
According to a department arrest warrant and a press release, Kissha Nagai Taimee Reed did not file South Carolina Individual Income Tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2023 and 2024. The warrant says Reed also filed withholding paperwork that caused her employer to treat her as exempt from state income tax withholding.
Warrants list Reed’s taxable income for the three-year period as at least $253,178. The SCDOR estimates she owes approximately $12,986 in South Carolina income tax for that period.
Potential penalties and current status
If convicted, Reed faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine for each count, plus the costs of prosecution, according to the department. She is being held at the Georgetown County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
- Allegation: Failure to file state income tax returns for 2022–2024
- Allegation: Submission of falsified withholding documents to employer
- Reported taxable income (2022–24): $253,178
- Estimated tax owing: $12,986
- Maximum statutory penalty per count: 5 years' imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine
Enforcement context
The Reed arrest is one of a number of enforcement actions the SCDOR has announced in August 2026. The department said it had made 23 arrests across the state that month on allegations ranging from failing to file returns to submitting falsified withholding documents indicating exemption from withholding.
“We recommend submitting your complaint on MyDORWAY, the SCDOR’s free online tax portal. Get started at dor.sc.gov/tax-violation-complaint,”
The department encouraged residents to report suspected tax crimes using its online portal, MyDORWAY, or by submitting a paper Tax Violation Complaint form, both of which are available on the SCDOR website.
Local implications and what to watch next
While this case originates in South Carolina’s Georgetown County, it illustrates how tax compliance and employment withholding disputes can escalate to criminal charges. For residents and employers, the case highlights the importance of accurate withholding forms and timely filing; misrepresentations on withholding forms that lead an employer to treat an employee as exempt can trigger criminal investigation if the department believes the exemption was falsely claimed.
The next public milestones to watch are the bond hearing and any subsequent court filings or arraignment notices from Georgetown County prosecutors. The department’s press release did not provide details about the employer involved or the circumstances under which the withholding documents were submitted.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Kissha Nagai Taimee Reed, 53 |
| Alleged tax years | 2022–2024 |
| Reported taxable income | $253,178 |
| Estimated tax owed | $12,986 |
| Charges | Three counts related to failure to file and falsified withholding documents |
The SCDOR’s call for public tips and complaints underscores a broader enforcement posture by the agency. For local employers and residents who may handle payroll or withholding forms, this case is a reminder to ensure documentation is accurate and for employees to understand the legal obligations tied to claiming exemptions and filing income-tax returns.
Further developments will be reported as the court process unfolds and if the department provides additional information about the investigations leading to this and the other August arrests.
