BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (1010 WINS) — A Connecticut woman was sentenced on Tuesday to three months in prison after she admitted to falsely filing tax returns for clients, according to the state's U.S. Attorney's Office.
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Torise Baker, 39, a Bridgeport tax return preparer authorized to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service, produced over 3,600 federal tax returns for clients through her 101 Things 2 Do LLC for the 2014 through 2016 tax years, according to court documents and statements.
Many of the tax returns claimed false deductions, including unreimbursed business expenses, charitable contributions and tax preparation fees.
Baker was sentenced after entering a guilty plea to one count of helping to prepare and deliver false and fraudulent income tax returns in March.
In April 2016, Baker met with an undercover federal agent posing as a customer. The agent provided Baker with a W-2 for the 2015 tax year, told Baker that they did not make any gifts to charity, and offered no information about any other valid deductions.
According to the prosecutors, on the tax return that she prepared and filed for the agent, Baker included $5,520 in deductions for charitable gifts, $2,105 for parking fees, tolls, and transportation, as well as $2,660 for uniforms and protective clothing. Those deductions were false.
In addition, Baker failed to file her own federal tax returns and pay taxes for the 2015 and 2016 tax years.
U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea also ordered Baker to pay $112,956 in restitution to the IRS.
Prosecutors said that as a result of Baker's conduct, many of her clients' filed tax returns will need to be amended. The amount of Baker's restitution may be reduced as her clients resolve their own tax liability with the IRS.
In addition to her prison term, Baker will serve the first month of her one-year supervised release in home confinement and must pay a $7,500 fine.
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