PHOENIX (AP) - The operator of a Phoenix-area tax-preparation business has pleaded guilty to preparing a fraudulent income tax return in which deductions were falsified and inflated to provide a client a larger tax refund.
Susana Gonzalez pleaded guilty Feb. 21 to one count of aiding or assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent income tax tax returns, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service announced Thursday.
A plea agreement between Gonzalez and prosecutors said the crime is punishable by up to three years in prison but also called for a lesser sentence.
Gonzalez agreed to pay up to $300,000 restitution to “all victims harmed by her relevant conduct,” the tax agency said.
The agreement called for dismissal of 22 other counts in a 23-indictment that alleged Gonzalez aided or assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent returns for at least nine clients from 2015-2016.
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