Tiffany Phenix, Tax Fraud, Texas 2023

Tax Preparer Tiffany Phenix Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Tax Fraud

Houston, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, Tiffany Phenix, a Texas tax preparer, has been ordered to serve 15 months in federal prison for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Tiffany Phenix pleaded guilty on April 22 for her role in the tax fraud scheme. According to court documents, Phenix prepared a total of 37 false income tax returns for clients and four false income tax returns for herself, resulting in an intended tax harm to the IRS of over $284,826.

The investigation, led by IRS-Criminal Investigation, revealed that Phenix created false forms W-2 and claimed false wage amounts, Earned Income Tax Credit, and income tax refunds on the returns. Specifically, Phenix admitted to preparing a false 2015 income tax return for a taxpayer, which included creating a false form W-2 and claiming false wage amounts, a false Earned Income Tax Credit, and a false income tax refund.

Tiffany Phenix was sentenced by Judge Morales to 15 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $284,826 in restitution. The sentencing is a reminder that honest taxpayers need to be careful when choosing a tax return preparer.

The IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Escher prosecuted the case.

Phenix, who operated Phenix Tax Service in Alice, Texas, was permitted to remain on bond and will voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

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