Kennedale tax preparer sentenced to 6+ years in prison

Date: Aug. 1, 2024

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A Texas tax preparer who pleaded guilty to a $2.6 million tax fraud was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Anthony "Tony" Floyd was charged in June 2023 with ten counts of aiding in the preparation and presentation of false tax returns. On the morning of his trial, shortly after a jury was seated, Mr. Floyd pleaded guilty to all 10 charges. He was sentenced Monday to 77 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, who also ordered him to pay more than $1.9 million in restitution.

According to court documents, Mr. Floyd filed approximately 400 fraudulent tax returns that included false information designed to increase the amount of refund owed to the taxpayer.

He recruited victim "clients" outside big box stores and through other clients. He obtained their personal information, such as income and deduction information, via text or cell phone conversations, rarely meeting clients in person. Mr. Floyd purposely submitted the returns without reviewing with the taxpayer, then diverted all or most of the refund to his own account.

The resultant tax loss to the United States exceeded $2.6 million.

The tax filings included falsified W-2s - filed on behalf of individuals purportedly working in catering, lawn care, event planning, interior décor, and other professions -- and included nonexistent charitable deductions, nonexistent college attendance, and even fictitious relatives.

"Mr. Floyd's sentencing sends a message that tax fraud is not a victimless crime," said Christopher J. Altemus Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) Dallas Field Office. "Mr. Floyd took advantage of his neighbors by preparing fraudulent tax returns and trying to steal approximately $2 million from the U.S. government. His sentence of 77 months in prison holds him accountable for his crimes."

"Everyone must ensure what is submitted is true and accurate when filing their taxes, even if they are prepared by a professional," Mr. Altemus added.

IRS CI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys P.J. Meitl, Nancy Larson, and Mark Nicols prosecuted the case.

CI is the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money-laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. CI special agents are the only federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code, obtaining a more than a 90 percent federal conviction rate. The agency has 20 field offices located across the U.S. and 12 attaché posts abroad.

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