Tax Preparer Sentenced to Prison Time for Filing Fraudulent Returns
Birmingham, AL – In a stark reminder to unscrupulous tax preparers, a federal judge in Alabama has sentenced a long-time tax preparer to five years and three months in prison for aiding and abetting the filing of false tax returns.
Sandra Lenora Green, 61, of York, Ala., was sentenced on May 25, 2024 for her role in filing false tax returns in the names of three individuals. The federal government alleges that Green made a living by filing false returns that sought unjustified payouts.
“The federal government is funded by people who pay the taxes that they owe. When unscrupulous tax preparers like Green make their living filing false returns that seek unjustified payouts, they end up stealing money from the taxes paid by those Americans who follow the law,” U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town said.
Green pleaded guilty in November to her role in filing false tax returns. According to her plea agreement, Green falsely claimed credits and losses on clients’ tax returns in order to inflate the amount of the tax refund they would receive. This scheme resulted in actual or intended losses of $1.5 million to $3.5 million.
As part of her plea agreement, Green agreed to pay restitution of $247,174 to the IRS. However, during the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Green had ignored a court order not to prepare any tax returns other than her own between her guilty plea and sentencing. Despite this, Green continued to serve as a tax preparer during this year’s tax-filing season, submitting false tax returns in her clients’ names.
IRS-CI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa K. Atwood prosecuted. The case serves as a stark reminder to tax preparers that filing false tax returns will not be tolerated.
Green’s sentence of five years and three months in prison is a significant blow to her and her clients. The sentence also serves as a warning to other tax preparers who may be tempted to engage in similar schemes.
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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