A Philadelphia tax preparer has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison for filing false tax returns for his clients and himself.
James J. Sirleaf, 65, of Darby, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on December 2023 by United States District Judge Paul S. Diamond, to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, one year of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $219,622, and an $1,800 special assessment.
According to court filings, Sirleaf was the sole owner and operator of Metro Financial Services Inc., a tax preparation business in Philadelphia. He prepared false and fraudulent Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Forms 1040, or U.S. Individual Tax Returns, for client taxpayers for at least tax years 2016 through 2019.
Sirleaf included falsities on the tax returns — including false deductions, fabricated business expenses, and/or false dependent information — resulting in tax calculations lower than what the clients actually owed.
In addition, Sirleaf filed false returns for himself for tax years 2017 through 2019, failing to fully report his income, which resulted in an additional tax loss to the IRS.
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eileen Castilla Geiger.
The tax loss caused by Sirleaf’s actions totals $219,622, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
This case is a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in tax preparation and filing.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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