Ousmane Sow, Tax Fraud, Texas 2014

Dallas Tax Preparer Sentenced for Tax Fraud

Dallas, TX - In a shocking turn of events, Ousmane Sow, a Dallas-area tax return preparer, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for preparing fraudulent tax returns. The sentencing took place on April 10, 2014.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Sow pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent tax return. The indictment, which was handed down in 2007, charged Sow with operating a business that provided tax preparation services under the name of DSL Tax Services, LLC. The business had locations on Forest Lane in Dallas and Airport Freeway in Irving, Texas.

From 2003 to 2005, Sow and his co-defendant, Tichafara Mpariwa, prepared and caused to be filed, U.S. individual tax returns, along with supporting schedules and forms, which contained materially false credits and deductions to fraudulently increase the taxpayer clients' refunds.

The false credits and deductions included false business expenses and false education expenses to create a false education credit, thus increasing the taxpayer client's refund. Sow voluntarily returned to the U.S. to face charges after contacting Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) from Burundi about returning.

The investigation was led by IRS-CI, with assistance from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security in securing Sow's return to the U.S. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Stokes prosecuted the case.

Defendant Mpariwa remains a fugitive. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of tax preparation services and the consequences of tax fraud.

Mandatory Facts:

• Defendant: Ousmane Sow
• Criminal Charges: Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent tax return
• City and State: Dallas, Texas
• Date: April 10, 2014 (sentencing)
• Sentence: 30 months in federal prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/dallas-tax-return-preparer-sentenced-preparing-fraudulent-tax-returns