Local Tax Preparer Charged With False Tax Return Preparation

HOUSTON – A Houston federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Doyle J. Blevins Jr., of Willis, with 27 counts of preparing false client tax returns, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Lucy Cruz, special agent in charge of Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.

“Those who might consider preparing false tax returns this filing season should be aware of the consequences of their actions,” said Cruz. “This indictment emphasizes that the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who attempt to defraud America's tax system. Taxpayers should also be very cautious when selecting someone to prepare their returns because ultimately they are responsible for what gets filed with the IRS.”

The indictment was returned Jan. 21, 2015. Blevins surrendered to authorities this morning and will make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge George C. Hanks at 2:00 p.m. today.

According to the indictment, Blevins operated a tax return preparation business in Willis under the name Total Refund Tax Service. The indictment alleges he prepared dozens of materially false client tax returns during calendar years 2008 through 2010. The indictment also alleges he included in these tax return bogus “side business” losses in order to generate excessive refunds totaling approximately $285,000.

If convicted, Blevins faces up to three years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine on each count. 

The case, investigated by IRS-CI, is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jimmy Sledge Jr.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.