I’m happy doing what I do. As my brother says, someone’s got to enjoy preparing tax returns. One thing that I’m not, though, is a receptionist.
Neither is one Bakersfield woman. However, Bakersfield tax preparer Bertha Vaughn listed her as a day care owner receptionist on her 2006 return. As she told Bakersfield Now, the unlucky Bakersfield woman had never been either a day care owner or a receptionist.
It seems that Ms. Vaughn allegedly wanted her clients to have refunds. The trouble is, you can’t make things up on tax returns. Telling the IRS that a client owns a business and is eligible for various deductions when they aren’t is a felony.
It took some time, but apparently the IRS caught on to what was happening. Ms. Vaughn was indicted on 29 counts of aiding and assisting in preparation of false tax returns to the IRS. Ms. Vaughn is looking at a stay in ClubFed and possible restitution if found guilty.
The alleged offenses occurred in California, a state that already regulates tax professionals. Unfortunately, if you want to be a bad preparer there’s not much to stop you from doing so…until you get caught.
If you go to a tax professional, make sure you review your return. If you see something on the return you don’t understand, ask your professional. He or she should be happy to explain why you qualify for a tax deduction or credit. And if you see from your tax return that you’ve suddenly become a receptionist in a day care facility (but you’re not), it’s time to run, not walk, to a different preparer.
Tags: BozoTaxPreparer