A few fewer Bozo tax preparers are on the loose. From Greenville, South Carolina comes the first story. Appropriately named Brian Bobo and his wife Latoya thought they had a foolproof scheme. Latoya would take identification information from her job at the South Carolina Department of Social Services and the Bobos and five others would create income tax returns for these individuals. They pocketed $86,000 in refunds before the IRS found out. The Bobos and the other conspirators pleaded guilty to conspiracy to file false tax returns and will be sentenced next year.
Bozo tax preparers aren’t just an American phenomenon. From Mississauga, Ontario, Canada comes the story of Ambrose Dapaah. Mr. Dapaah was the owner of ADD Accounting Services and he also was president of the CanAfrica International Foundation. Mr. Dapaah was a helpful source, and he helped his clients by taking $21 million in charitable donations to his foundation. His clients gained $6 million in tax credits, and his foundation gained some money. Did I mention that those donations were falsified, and that he sold donation receipts? Mr. Dapaah will be spending 51 months in prison.
Yes, no matter if you’re in Canada or the United States your charitable donations must be real in order for you to get a tax break. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Tags: BozoTaxPreparer