North Carolina Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Preparing False Returns

A Charlotte, North Carolina, tax return preparer pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting in filing a false tax return, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray of the Western District of North Carolina.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Ramonda Byrd owned and operated Divine Financial Solutions, a Charlotte, North Carolina, tax preparation business with locations on Beatties Ford Road and Central Avenue. From 2012 through 2017, Byrd prepared false tax returns on behalf of her clients. By reporting fictitious business income and expenses as well as false medical expenses, charitable contributions, and child and dependent care expenses, she sought to cause the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to pay inflated refunds. Byrd’s fee was then often deducted from the client’s refund. In all, Byrd’s conduct caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $270,000.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. At sentencing, Byrd faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Murray thanked special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Jessica Kraft of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley, who prosecuted the case.