Three Jacksonville Tax Return Preparers Indicted On Federal Tax Fraud Charges

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of indictments charging Jacksonville residents Paul Berkins Moise, Joanna Arlean Tukes, and Schquan Antionette Shanks with aiding and assisting others with the filing of false tax returns. The indictments, which are unrelated, allege that each of the individuals owned and operated a tax preparation business in Jacksonville.

Moise is charged with 22 counts of filing false tax returns, Tukes is charged with 25 counts of filing false tax returns, and Shanks is charged in 21 counts of filing false tax returns and 3 counts of filing false personal income tax returns. Each count carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment. The United States also seeks restitution for the tax loss arising out of the alleged criminal conduct.

According to Moise’s indictment, between February 2013 and March 2017, Moise defrauded the IRS by filing returns for taxpayers in which he falsely claimed, among other things, that the taxpayers had incurred business expenses and unreimbursed employee expenses, had paid state and local sales taxes in an inflated amount, and had made gifts to charity in an inflated amount. The indictment specifically alleges the filing of 22 false returns on behalf of eight taxpayers for the tax years 2012 through 2016.

According to Tukes’s indictment, between February 2013 and March, 2017, Tukes defrauded the IRS by filing returns for taxpayers in which she falsely claimed, among other things, that the taxpayers had incurred business expenses and unreimbursed employee expenses, had incurred medical and dental expenses in an inflated amount, had paid state and local sales taxes in an inflated amount, and had made gifts to charity in an inflated amount. The indictment specifically alleges the filing of 25 false returns on behalf of nine taxpayers for the tax years 2012 through 2016. The indictment also alleges that Tukes significantly underreported the income she made from her tax preparation business, alleging that she made approximately $219,686 in 2013 but reported only $14,600, that she made approximately $294,049 in 2014 but reported only $10,500, and that she made approximately $465,855 in 2015 but reported only $50,540.

According to Shanks’s indictment, between February 2015, and February 2018, Shanks defrauded the IRS by filing returns for taxpayers in which she falsely claimed, among other things, that the taxpayers had incurred business expenses and had dependents for whom they could claim an exemption. The indictment specifically alleges the filing of 21 false returns on behalf of eight taxpayers for the tax years 2014 through 2017.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

These cases were investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. They will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.