Tax Preparer Sentenced To Prison In White Collar Fraud Case In Florida

On February 26th, 2024, Bloomberg Law reported that Phedson Dore—a tax preparer from Florida—was sentenced to two years in prison in a federal tax fraud case. Mr. Dore and his co-conspirator were convicted of filing hundreds of false tax returns over a three year period. Here, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer highlights the allegations and charges in this case.

The Conviction: Florida Tax Preparer Filed False Returns

As explained by the U.S. Department of Justice, Phedson Dore—a tax return preparer who was associated with Empire Tax Services in Central Florida—was sentenced to two years in prison, two years of post-prison supervised release (probation), and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in restitution for a tax fraud offense. The violations occurred between 2017 and 2020. Mr. Dore reportedly inflated tax withholdings and claimed fake deductions to secure unentitled refunds for clients. Notably, Mr. Dore omitted his name on these tax returns to conceal involvement.

An Overview of Federal Tax Fraud Offenses 

Tax fraud is a serious criminal offense. There are tax fraud charges that can arise under both federal law and Florida law. Federal tax fraud crimes generally fit into one of the following three categories:

• Tax Evasion: Tax evasion is the most serious federal tax offense. It involves the deliberate underreporting of income—or inflating of deductions—with the intent to reduce tax liability. People or businesses may hide income, claim false deductions, or engage in other deceptive practices to evade the accurate assessment of tax owed. A single count of felony federal tax evasion can carry a five year prison sentence.
• False Statements: Making false statements on tax returns or to tax officials is also a form of  tax fraud. Examples include fabricating financial records, claiming expenses not incurred, or providing misleading information about one’s financial status. False statements aim to deceive tax authorities, leading to an incorrect tax calculation. A conviction for false statements can carry up to three years in prison.
• Failure to File: It is a federal crime to knowingly fail to file a tax return when you are required to do so by law. While some may neglect to file due to oversight, there are others who deliberately avoid filing to escape tax liabilities. A conviction for this crime can carry a sentence of up to one year in prison. 

As with any type of white collar criminal offense, a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. You have the right to raise a zealous defense against tax fraud charges. 

Contact Our Orlando White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney Today

At The Baez Law Firm, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer is a knowledgeable, experienced advocate for defendants. If you or your loved one is facing any white collar tax charge, we are prepared to help. Call us now or connect with us online for your confidential initial case evaluation. We defend white collar criminal charges in Orlando and throughout Central Florida.

Source:

news.bloomberglaw.com/white-collar-and-criminal-law/florida-tax-return-preparer-gets-sentenced-to-prison-for-fraud