Joann Little, Tax Fraud, Washington 2014

State: Washington
Category: Fraud &#038; Financial Crimes
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/dc-return-preparer-pleads-guilty-preparing-fraudulent-tax-returns" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

Washington D.C. return preparer Joann Little, 60, of Suitland, Maryland, pleaded guilty to preparing fraudulent tax returns, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Tax Division. The brazen scheme saw Little preparing federal income tax returns for tax years 2009 through 2014 that sought refunds to which her clients were not entitled.

According to documents filed with the court, Little worked as a return preparer in Washington D.C., at a tax preparation business formerly known as Instant Tax Service and more recently named Speedy Tax Service. Little caused a tax loss of at least $262,714 by including inflated charitable deductions, fictitious unreimbursed employee expenses and false businesses on her clients’ tax returns.

The court did not set a sentencing date, but Little faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison for each count, a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg commended special agents of the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Jason Scheff and Karen Kelly of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.

Little’s guilty plea is a significant blow to the tax preparation industry, which has long been plagued by corrupt preparers seeking to line their own pockets at the expense of honest taxpayers.

The case highlights the importance of vigilance in the tax preparation process and the need for taxpayers to carefully review their returns before signing them.

The Tax Division continues to crack down on tax preparers and individuals who engage in tax-related crimes, and we will continue to hold them accountable for their actions.

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