Georgia Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Return Fraud

Posted on by Marcia Shein

In April of 2017, a Macon woman was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for a $60,000 tax fraud scheme, according to The Telegraph. The woman wept as she told a U.S. district judge that she fell into the wrong crowd and that was the reason for the crime. She opened a business checking account in 2011 with a local bank. The business listed her home address as the company’s business address. However, she was the sole signatory on the account. From January to November of 2011, the account received 19 direct deposits from the U.S. Treasury. One paper check was deposited over the counter for $32,817.

Money from the U.S. Treasury was also directly deposited into her personal savings account. The 11 direct deposits totaled $15,344. Only one of the 11 deposits was from an income tax return fraudulently filed. The tax return was for an individual who died more than one year prior to the fraudulent tax return filing.

Police confronted the woman in June of 2011. She admitted to being part of a tax fraud ring. However, she refused to name the other participants. Her lawyer said that the woman did not prepare or file any fraudulent tax returns. Also, she did not steal anyone’s personal information. The money was deposited into her accounts. The defendant will have to serve an additional three years of supervised probation after her release. In addition, she will pay both the IRS and Georgia Department of Revenue $60,222 in restitution.

What is Federal Tax Fraud in Decatur?

Federal tax law is defined in Title 26 of the U.S. Code. The law includes multiple illegal actions that can lead to a tax fraud charge. For instance, tax fraud is the willful misrepresentation or falsification of information on a tax form. It is typically done to avoid tax liability. Tax evasion is another type of tax fraud that includes one or more persons failing to report taxable income. Tax fraud can also include:

  • Providing false tax information to employees
  • Failing to provide tax statements to employees as the law requires
  • Filing a fraudulent tax return
  • Preparing and filing a fraudulent tax return
  • Failing to collect taxes
  • Fraudulently taking credits such as earned income tax credit, or EITC,

Defenses for Tax Fraud in Decatur

A federal prosecutor has the burden of proving every element of a tax fraud case beyond a reasonable doubt. It is a defense attorney’s responsibility to use a strong defense to attack the prosecutor’s case and prove his or her client’s innocence. Many defenses are available to fight a federal fraud charge. Some common defenses are:

  • No intent. The person accused of tax fraud did not intend to defraud anyone, including the government.
  • No knowledge of the crime. They had no knowledge the fraud scheme occurred.
  • Lack of sufficient evidence. Federal prosecutors do not have enough evidence to convict.
  • Entrapment. The person accused was tricked into committing the crime by federal officials.

The Law Firm of Shein & Brandenburg, P.C. are Your Tax Fraud Attorneys

You were accused of federal tax fraud in Decatur or the Atlanta area. It is only an accusation. Now it is time to fight the charges and attack the prosecutor’s claims with a smart, tough defense. Contact the Law Firm of Shein & Brandenburg, P.C. for help immediately.