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Local Tax Preparer Found Guilty of Tax Evasion
LAFAYETTE, La. – On Wednesday, Lachala Guidry Joseph, the owner of Guidry’s Tax Service, also known as Dee’s Tax Service, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.
According to the guilty plea, Joseph operated her tax preparation business in Opelousas from 2007 to 2014. In an attempt to disguise her income, Joseph deposited business funds into accounts held by her sister, mother, and aunt.
Joseph filed her 2010 federal tax return stating that she only received $13,858 in wages and claimed a $7,695 refund. However, she failed to file income tax returns for years 2011 to 2013. In total, she did not report more than $510,000 in income, resulting in a tax loss to the IRS of $125,014.22.
Furthermore, Joseph’s business added false cash income information to its tax returns, qualifying them for the maximum earned income tax credit. This led to her clients receiving tax refunds they were not entitled to.
The IRS investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Joseph and Myers P. Namie are prosecuting the case.
Lachala Guidry Joseph, 37, faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $100,000 fine, and restitution. A sentencing date has not been set.
The guilty plea underscores the importance of tax compliance and the consequences of failing to report income.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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