Tax Prep Scam

⏱ 2 min read

Amy Evangelista, a 60-year-old tax preparer from Lathrop, California, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding the IRS of over $1.2 million. From 2017 to 2020, Evangelista falsified over 1,000 tax returns, creating phantom companies and fake business expenses to increase refund amounts without her clients’ knowledge or consent.

Evangelista’s scheme involved reporting false businesses, income, and expenses for her clients, resulting in fraudulent tax refunds. In one instance, she prepared a client’s 2019 tax return, falsely reporting $8,830 in business losses when the client did not operate any business that year.

During the investigation, investigators contacted one of Evangelista’s clients, who was later told to lie about the preparation of their return. The IRS Criminal Investigation and the US Attorney’s Office worked together to bring Evangelista to justice, highlighting the importance of choosing a trustworthy and qualified tax return preparer.

The sentence serves as a reminder that those who corrupt the tax system will be pursued and punished. US Attorney Eric Grant and Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen emphasized the commitment to protecting taxpayers and upholding the integrity of the communities they serve.