Queens, N.Y., Tax Return Preparer Indicted for Preparing False Tax Returns

Williesteina Jacobs was indicted in the Eastern District of New York on March 21, 2014, and charged with 27 counts of aiding in the preparation of false returns, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today following her arrest.

According to the indictment, Jacobs owned and operated a tax preparation business called International Professional Business Services, which was located in South Richmond Hill, N.Y., and Jamaica, N.Y.  The indictment charges that Jacobs prepared false personal income tax returns for clients for tax years 2007 through 2009.  Jacobs allegedly attached false schedules that reported business losses the taxpayers did not incur and attached schedules that reported inflated or fictitious deductions.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, Jacobs faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.

The case was investigated by special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation.  Trial Attorneys Jennifer Laraia and Stephen Descano of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case .