Tax Preparers Accused Of Filing False Returns
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two commercial tax preparers operating from the West Englewood neighborhood have been charged with submitting more than 20 false returns.
Horace Ingram, 58, the operator of Hossman Tax Services in the 5600 block of South Honore Street, is charged with 14 counts of advising the preparation of a false return. Lillie Ingram, 52, faces eight counts of the same charge, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
Authorities say the Ingrams prepared Forms 1040 for their clients the years from 2004 through 2006, which inflated deductions and credits to reduce their tax liability, and purported that they qualified for refunds they did not.
The Ingrams allegedly inflated charitable contributions, and made up education and unreimbursed business expenses for their clients, among them uniform, job supply and mileage expenses, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
The 14 returns Horace Ingram prepared resulted in $49,518 in false refunds, while the eight returns prepared by Lillie Ingram netted $47,370 in fraudulent refunds, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
On conviction, each count of filing a false federal tax return results in three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
