The South Carolina Department of Revenue has arrested 41 year old Annmedra Cornelia Brown of Spartanburg for assisting in the preparation of false tax returns.
Brown prepared false Schedule C forms, profit or loss for a business, and Schedule A forms, itemized deductions.
Agents say falsifying the information on income tax returns cost the state more than $304,000.
Brown is charged with eight counts of willfully assisting in the preparation of a false return, could get a maximum of 5 years in prison and/or an 80 thousand dollar fine in addition to prosecution costs.
Brown is being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
Official Press Release from the South Carolina Department of Revenue:
South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) agents today arrested a Spartanburg County woman on charges she assisted in the preparation of false tax returns.
Annmedra Cornelia Brown, 41, of Spartanburg, is accused of helping create multiple false tax returns from 2015 through 2017, according to her arrest warrants.
In eight tax returns for four clients, Brown prepared fraudulent Schedule Cs (forms that provide the profit or loss for a business) and Schedule As (forms that itemize deductions), collectively reporting false deductions and losses of more than $304,000 on the Income Tax returns.
As a result, according to the agents, the returns caused a tax loss to the state.
Brown is charged with eight counts of willfully assisting in the preparation of a false return.
If convicted, Brown faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine per count, in addition to the costs of prosecution.
She is being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
The SCDOR is committed to the fair administration of tax laws.
By taking enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers, the Department seeks to prevent unfairly increasing the tax burden on those who do comply.
While the majority of certified tax preparers are honest and trustworthy, there are those who seek to take advantage of unsuspecting clients.
For tips on choosing a tax preparer, visit the SCDOR's Individual Income Tax page at dor.sc.gov/iit
