BOISE, Idaho – Tax fraud is an affront to all taxpayers who comply with the law, said U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit. In a four-day trial, a federal jury found Andres Sanchez, 33, guilty of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of six false or fraudulent tax returns on behalf of several clients.
According to the trial, Sanchez worked as a paid tax return preparer in Boise. For tax returns filed for tax years 2014, 2015, and 2016, Sanchez counseled his clients to include ineligible dependents on their tax returns to increase tax refunds. The ineligible dependents resulted in dependency exemptions and refundable tax credits for Sanchez’s clients, including the child tax credit, additional child tax credit, and earned income credit.
The ineligible dependents resulted in significant refunds in many cases where Sanchez’s clients would have otherwise owed taxes. Sanchez faces a maximum of three years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each false tax return.
Sanchez was found guilty of six counts of filing false tax returns. Sentencing is scheduled for May 16, 2023. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation in this case.
“Over the past three years, investigations led by IRS-CI special agents have resulted in more than 300 return preparers being sentenced for filing false tax returns,” said Andy Tsui, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office. “Return preparer fraud will remain a top priority for us and today’s verdict should serve as a reminder to tax preparers that filing false returns will lead to significant fines and prison.”
Sanchez’s case is a reminder to the public to be cautious when choosing a tax preparer. If something seems too good to be true, it often is.
Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Idaho; IRS Criminal Investigation.
Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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