Worcester Tax Preparer Charged With Falsifying Returns

BOSTON – A Worcester tax return preparer was charged yesterday with preparing false tax returns.

Nydia Elicier, 55, was indicted on seven counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. The indictment alleges that Elicier prepared individual federal tax returns for clients at Cox Elicier Tax, a Worcester business that she operated with her daughter, Jenniffer Cox Elicier. The allegations are that Nydia Elicier inserted false information into her clients’ Form 1040 returns, including false adjustments and Schedule A deductions such as medical and dental expenses, gifts to charity, educator expenses, and other unreimbursed employee expenses. In so doing, Elicier generated illegal refunds for her clients. In January 2014, Jenniffer Cox Elicier pleaded guilty to the offense.

If convicted, Elicier faces a statutory maximum penalty of three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement. The case is being prosecuted by Lori J. Holik, Chief of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.