Tax Preparer Sentenced For Filing False Returns

A Detroit tax preparer was sentenced yesterday to 30 days in prison for filing a false federal income tax return, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today. 

McQuade was joined in the announcement by Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarod Koopman, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.

U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman also ordered that Monique Gray pay restitution of  $102,899.
  
According to court records, Gray owned and operated MO Tax Services, a tax return preparation business and U&M X Spress Inc. a trucking company.  In 2008 Gray’s businesses earned combined gross receipts of approximately $167,232 which Gray knew she had a duty to report.  Instead, Gray chose to underreport her gross business income by more than $155,774, in a deliberate attempt to reduce her tax liability.  Grays actions caused a tax loss to the government of approximately $14,833 for the 2008 tax year.  Overall, Gray caused a tax loss of $102,899 for the years 2006 through 2009.

“Gray’s deliberate attempt to file a false tax return undermines the tax system and is an affront to other business owners and taxpayers that remain honest.  We will continue to pursue and investigate those individuals that believe they can get away with committing these types of crimes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Koopman.

The investigation of this case was conducted by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross MacKenzie.