Torise Baker, Tax Fraud, Connecticut 2022

Bridgeport tax preparer Torise Baker, 39, was sentenced to three months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for her role in a tax fraud scheme.

According to court documents, Baker, an enrolled agent permitted to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service, prepared approximately 3,600 federal tax returns for clients through 101 Things 2 Do, LLC, a multi-service business she operated in Bridgeport. Many of these tax returns claimed false deductions, including unreimbursed business expenses, charitable contributions and tax preparation fees.

In April 2016, Baker met with an undercover federal agent posing as a customer. The agent provided Baker with a W-2 for the 2015 tax year, told Baker that he/she did not make any gifts to charity, and offered no information about any other valid deductions. On the tax return that she prepared and filed for the agent, Baker included $5,520 in deductions for charitable gifts; $2,105 for parking fees, tolls, and transportation; and $2,660 for uniforms and protective clothing. Those deductions were false.

In addition, Baker failed to file her own federal tax returns and pay taxes for the 2015 and 2016 tax years.

Judge Michael P. Shea ordered Baker to pay $112,956 in restitution to the IRS.

As a result of Baker’s criminal conduct, many of her clients’ filed tax returns will need to be amended. The amount of Baker’s restitution may be reduced as her clients resolve their own tax liability with the IRS.

Baker pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent income tax returns on March 21, 2022.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

Torise Baker, a tax preparer from Bridgeport, Connecticut, was sentenced to prison for tax fraud. She was ordered to serve three months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, and pay $112,956 in restitution to the IRS.

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