Philadelphia Woman Charged With Preparation of False Income Tax Returns

Rhonda Coleman, 56, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment unsealed today with nineteen counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of materially false income tax returns, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. According to the Indictment, Coleman is the co-owner of P.C. Tax Services, a business located in Philadelphia. She used her position as a tax preparer at the business to falsely overstate and include income, deductions and credits on her clients’ returns without the authorization of those clients between 2011 and 2012.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 48 years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, a $1,900,000 fine, and a $1,900 special assessment.

The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tomika N.S. Patterson.

An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty