Josiah Mator Jr., Filing False Tax Returns, Missouri 2022

A tax preparer in Jefferson City, Missouri, has been sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison for filing false tax returns, resulting in a significant loss for the federal government and the state of Missouri.

Josiah Mator, Jr., 41, was found guilty of two counts of filing false federal income tax returns. He prepared and electronically filed tax returns for individuals in the Liberian community and other friends and acquaintances for tax years 2010 through 2015.

Mator did not have a registered tax preparation business, but used Express 1040 software to prepare his clients' tax returns from his home. He claimed that his adjusted gross income in 2015 was $16,552, and his taxable income was $0, knowing that he did not include the business income from his tax preparation service.

Mator also filed a false federal income tax return for individuals identified as 'I.A.' and L.A.' The fraudulent return reported $16,000 in unreimbursed employee business expenses in 2015, although Mator knew I.A. and L.A. did not have any expenses related to their employment. As a result, I.A. and L.A. received a refund they were not legally eligible to receive.

The scheme resulted in 53 fraudulent claims, with individuals receiving substantial refunds they were not legally eligible to receive. Mator's criminal conduct resulted in a federal and state tax loss of $200,292.

Mator was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to two years and nine months in federal prison without parole. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and $200,292 in restitution to the federal government and the state of Missouri.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner and investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/jefferson-city-tax-preparer-sentenced-filing-false-tax-returns