Brittany Patterson, Tax Fraud, Louisiana 2015

A Louisiana tax preparer, Brittany Patterson, has been convicted of a second tax fraud scheme. This time, Patterson is accused of conspiring with others to file false tax returns for clients of Pelicans Income Tax and Payroll Services in Kenner and Westwego, Louisiana.

According to court documents, from January through April 2015, Patterson and her co-conspirators prepared client returns reporting false income and withholdings in order to generate larger tax refunds. Additionally, Patterson filed a return for herself claiming a false dependent, after obtaining the dependent’s personal identifying information from a client without their knowledge.

The tax loss to the IRS is estimated to be over $550,000. Patterson is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2022, and faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Patterson has a prior conviction for conspiracy to defraud the United States related to filing false returns for clients of another tax preparation business, Crown Tax Service LLC. She pleaded guilty to this charge on November 14, 2019, and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 5, 2022.

The case is being investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Trial Attorneys Jessica Kraft and William Montague of the Tax Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Patterson’s case highlights the importance of tax compliance and the consequences of tax fraud. Taxpayers are reminded that the IRS takes tax fraud seriously and will pursue those who engage in such activities.

In conclusion, Brittany Patterson’s conviction serves as a reminder of the risks associated with tax fraud. The consequences of such actions can be severe, including imprisonment and significant financial penalties.

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