Coon Rapids Man Charged With Extensive Tax Fraud

Authorities say Billy Felder used forged documents and identities to file over 45 fraudulent tax refund claims, stealing more than $41,000 from the state.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:18pm

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled, handwritten tax form lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty investigation into tax fraud and identity theft.A recent wave of targeted tax fraud exposes the serious consequences of identity theft and the state's ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of the tax system.Coon Rapids Today

A Coon Rapids, Minnesota man has been charged with multiple felony tax crimes, including one count of preparing false or fraudulent property tax refunds, one count of forgery, and two counts of identity theft. Authorities say Billy Felder used forged documents and the identities of 23 people, including two deceased individuals, to file over 45 fraudulent tax refund claims, stealing more than $41,000 from the state.

Why it matters

Tax fraud and identity theft are serious crimes that undermine the integrity of the tax system and can have significant financial and legal consequences for victims. This case highlights the need for vigilance in protecting personal information and the ongoing efforts by authorities to crack down on these types of financial crimes.

The details

According to the complaint, Felder allegedly used forged documents and the identities of multiple people to file over 45 property tax refunds. Investigators were able to match the handwriting on the fraudulent returns to Felder's handwriting on other documents seized from his home. Many of the people whose identities were used had the same last name as Felder, and several were not even residents of Minnesota during the tax years in question.

  • Felder was charged on April 11, 2026.
  • The fraudulent tax returns were filed over an unspecified period of time.

The players

Billy Felder

A Coon Rapids, Minnesota resident who has been charged with one count of preparing false or fraudulent property tax refunds, one count of forgery, and two counts of identity theft for allegedly filing over 45 fraudulent tax refund claims and stealing more than $41,000 from the state.

Minnesota Department of Revenue

The state agency that investigated the fraudulent tax refund claims and referred the case to the Anoka County Attorney's Office for prosecution.

Anoka County Attorney's Office

The local prosecutor's office that has charged Billy Felder with the multiple felony tax crimes.

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What’s next

Felder is scheduled to appear in court on April 25, 2026 for a bail hearing. If convicted, he faces up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each tax-related felony charge.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious consequences of tax fraud and identity theft, and the ongoing efforts by authorities to protect the integrity of the tax system and crack down on these types of financial crimes. It underscores the need for individuals to be vigilant in protecting their personal information to prevent becoming victims of these crimes.