Tax preparer permanently banned for alleged fraudulent tax returns

TAMPA, Fla. — A federal court in Tampa has permanently enjoined a tax preparer in Florida.

According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida has permanently enjoined Kenia Rodriguez, a Lakeland-based tax return preparer, from preparing returns for others and from owning, managing, or working at any tax return preparation business in the future.

The DOJ said the United States will continue pursuing its disgorgement claim against Ms Rodriguez, who reportedly consented to the permanent injunction.

The civil complaint against Rodriguez alleged that she, through a fictitious entity called Rodriguez Tax Services, claimed extensive fraudulent deductions and credits on customers’ tax returns to purposely underreport their tax liabilities and claim refunds they were not entitled to receive.

The complaint also alleged that Ms Rodriguez hid her tax preparation activity by failing to properly identify herself on the tax returns that she prepared.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also offers guidance on the credentials and qualifications that taxpayers should seek from their return preparer.