According to a Department of Justice press release, a Florida woman was recently sentenced to prison for filing false tax returns with the IRS in an attempt to secure fraudulent tax refunds. This case highlights the serious consequences of taxpayers attempting to defraud the IRS. If you have filed a false tax return in the past, or have failed to file a tax return for one or more years, it is critical to discuss your situation with an experienced tax defense attorney.
Defendant Fraudulently Received Almost $500,000 in Fraudulent Refunds from the IRS after Seeking $2 Million
Court records reveal that Yolanda Dewar filed four false tax returns between 2018 and 2020 on behalf of a trust she created, seeking nearly $2 million in tax refunds from the IRS. Those returns falsely reported significant income, payments to the IRS that were not actually made, and federal income taxes withheld on the trust’s behalf. Despite being notified by the IRS that her claims were frivolous and had no legal basis, Dewar continued to submit false returns.
In total, the IRS issued nearly $500,000 to the trust in response to her fraudulent refund claims. Dewar used a portion of these funds to purchase a car for a family member, receive plastic surgery, and renovate her home. She was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, followed by one year of supervised release at the completion of her physical incarceration. Lastly, she was ordered to pay $485,290 in restitution to the United States, representing the total amount of tax loss that she caused in filing her refund claims.
Consulting With a Tax Attorney If You Have Filed False Returns
The case of the defendant above demonstrates the serious trouble that you can find yourself in if you attempt to illegally profit from the U.S. tax system. While the IRS is understaffed and does sometimes pay out refunds that, when scrutinized, are clearly illegal, the repercussions will catch up with taxpayers who try these illegal strategies. If you have filed a false tax return or failed to file a return, as required by federal law, it is in your best interest to consult with a seasoned tax attorney. Together, you can analyze the facts of your case, determine the extent of any exposure, and jointly develop a plan to get you right with the government.
