HOUSTON – A woman has entered a guilty plea to falsely preparing tax returns following a prior order not to engage in that business, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Marcia Angella Johnson admitted that since 2016, she had been preparing income tax returns for clients even though she had been prohibited from doing so. During this time, she prepared numerous false returns which claimed various false items on her clients’ behalf. These included false wages, salaries, tips and tax credits such as earned income credit, child tax credits and American opportunity credits.
As a result of her criminal acts, the United States suffered a loss of at least $54,545 in tax revenue. Johnson herself admitted to pocketing between $13,000 and $15,000 after preparing tax returns each year from 2016 through 2019.
Johnson previously admitted to preparing or assisting to prepare approximately 200 false tax returns. In 2011, the court banned her from conducting a tax preparation business.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 16. At that time, Johnson faces up to three years in prison and a possible $100,000 maximum fine. She has also agreed to pay restitution to the IRS.
She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
IRS – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Laurence Goldman is prosecuting the case.
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