Phoenix Tax Preparer Sentenced to 12 Months Imprisonment for Preparing Fraudulent Tax Returns

PHOENIX – On Jan. 23, 2015, Margaret Nicole Hall, 40, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 12 months and one day of imprisonment. Hall was also ordered to pay $92,937 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. On Oct. 20, 2014, Hall pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing or impeding the administration of internal revenue laws and one count of aiding or assisting preparation or presentment of a fraudulent or false return.

According to her plea agreement, Hall owned and operated a tax return preparation service known as Taxes R Us which was located in Phoenix, Ariz. During an Internal Revenue Service civil audit proceeding, Hall falsely represented that this client received income from self-employment and that the client received tip income. Hall also knowingly provided fabricated lease documents and fabricated rental receipts to the Internal Revenue Service as purported substantiation for items claimed in the false tax returns that Hall had prepared for her client.

Additionally, Hall prepared a Federal income tax return that fraudulently stated the taxpayer's purported wages, purported business income, and tips.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Frank Galati, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-14-00418-PHX-DGC

RELEASE NUMBER: 2015-007_Hall

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