Tax preparer faces 3 years in prison

WHITTIER – A self-employed income tax return preparer from Whittier pleaded guilty Friday to preparing and submitting false tax returns on behalf of clients to the IRS. Eduardo Ramos, 44, operated E Tax Income Tax Services in Montebello. He pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return.

In his plea agreement, Ramos admitted that while operating E Tax Income Tax Services during 2010-12, he prepared dozens of fraudulent tax returns on behalf of clients causing a total tax loss to the government of at least $96,909.

The single count to which Ramos pleaded guilty relates to a 2010 federal income tax return prepared on behalf of a client. Ramos prepared the tax return and reduced the tax liability by including false itemized deductions including gifts to charity and job expenses.

The inclusion of the false deductions resulted in a tax loss to the government of $4,175.

Ramos faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced Jan. 12 by U.S. District Judge S. James Otero.

He may also be ordered to pay restitution.

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Published: Aug. 7, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 17