Daytona Beach Tax Preparer Convicted Of Tax Offenses

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury today found Fane Dacosta (40, Daytona Beach) guilty of twenty-five counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, and three counts of failure to file his personal tax returns.  Dacosta faces a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment for each count of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, and one year in federal prison for each count of failing to file a personal tax return. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 24, 2014.

Dacosta was indicted on April 11, 2013. 

According to evidence presented at trial, Dacosta was the owner of a tax return business (More Than Enaf Refund & Affordable Tax Services) in Holly Hill. For the tax years of 2006 through 2009, Dacosta prepared returns for individuals in which he falsified the amounts of deductions and tax credits owed to taxpayers, resulting in those taxpayers receiving undeserved tax refunds.  In particular, Dacosta fraudulently claimed education credits for clients who never attended college, and he inflated itemized deductions. In response to the false returns that Dacosta prepared, the Internal Revenue Service issued over $500,000 in undeserved refunds.  In addition, Dacosta failed to file his personal tax returns in 2007, 2008, and 2009, despite earning over $100,000, $200,000, and $300,000 in each of those years, respectively.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service -- Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.