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According to a official release of the Internal Revenue Service, Jeannette Villarreal originally pleaded guilty to falsely preparing and filing income tax returns on July 6, 2022.
Federal District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced Villarreal, who had no criminal record, to 18 months in federal prison along with a $15,000 fine. According to the IRS, Judge Ramos found Villarreal engaged in “extensive criminal activity” and recruited her two daughters to help with her scheme. Ultimately, the judge concluded that a prison sentence was necessary “to provide just punishment and provide an adequate deterrent.”
Villarreal’s daughters, Leannette Villarreal and Zeannette Salazar, have also been convicted of involvement.
The Villarreal family prepared taxes under the trade name of J&G Armadillo’s Tax Service AKA Reals Tax Service.
On numerous occasions, the trio knowingly reported false profits, fabricated charitable contributions, and ineligible tax credits to increase their clients’ refunds. The returns often claimed that taxpayers were allowed to claim credits and deductions for which they did not qualify.
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IRS Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington – Houston Field Office of Criminal Investigation urged Americans to be vigilant this tax season: “These three tax preparers not only betrayed the trust of their clients, they who counted on them to prepare accurate statements, but betrayed the trust of all American taxpayers.”
“As we enter the 2023 tax filing season, I implore all taxpayers who plan to hire a third party to prepare and file their tax return to choose their preparer wisely and ask questions before and during the preparation process. “Finally, always make sure everything on your tax return is correct and legitimate before you sign the return, or Form 879 – IRS Electronic File Signature Authorization, and submit the return to the IRS.”
What do you think about this tax preparer going to prison?
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