Philadelphia Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to False Returns | OPA

A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty yesterday to assisting in the preparation of false federal tax returns.

According to court documents, Jean Coq, of Philadelphia, prepared tax returns for clients for tax years 2013 and 2014 that claimed inflated itemized deductions and adjustments to income. As a result of these false items, Coq’s clients sought tax refunds to which they were not entitled. In total, Coq caused a tax loss to the IRS of $83,451.

Coq is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 10. He faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison on each count, as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.

The IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Ann Marie Cherry of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ignall of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.