A former Queens, New York return preparer has been brought to justice for her role in a scheme to prepare false tax returns, causing a significant loss to the U.S. Treasury.
Vanya Thompson, 39, pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
As we enter filing season, today’s plea should remind tax return preparers across the country that there are significant consequences for willfully preparing and filing false income tax returns,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg. “Preparers who seek to attract business and increase their profits by stealing from the U.S. Treasury through the filing of false returns will be investigated and prosecuted.”
According to documents filed with the court, from in or about 2004 through 2014, Vanya Thompson ran a tax return preparation business, which operated under a number of names, including Lyn Services, Ricardo Multi-Service and Katie’s Multi-Service. To generate larger refunds for her clients, Thompson falsified items on their returns such as charitable deductions and business income, expenses, and losses, causing a tax loss of more than $250,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 2. Thompson faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison, a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. Thompson also agreed to an order prohibiting her from preparing tax returns on behalf of others.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Brittney Campbell and Jason Scheff of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Defendant: Vanya Thompson
Criminal Charges: Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation of False Tax Returns
City and State: Queens, New York
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence or Outcome: Sentencing scheduled for June 2, faces up to 3 years in prison, supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties
Dollar Amounts: Tax loss of more than $250,000
Related Federal Cases
- Mark Thompson, Wire Fraud and Conspiracy, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Myron Schulman, Tax Evasion, New York 2023 · New Hampshire
- Takisha Rainey, Tax Refund Forgery, New York 2023 · New York
- Alton Plunkett, Tax Fraud, New York NY, 2023 · Florida
- Letitia James, Tax Fraud and Bribery, New York 2023 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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