Richland County tax preparer arrested on charges of preparing false tax returns
May 4, 2022
South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) agents today arrested a Columbia tax preparer and charged her with 19 counts of willfully making or assisting in false or fraudulent returns.
Shervonne Simmons, 49, of Columbia, from 2017 through 2020 assisted in the preparation of false tax returns for nine taxpayers, according to arrest warrants. A total income of $402,469 was reported on the state Individual Income Tax returns for these taxpayers. An SCDOR investigation determined the total income that should have been reported was $758,064, but the returns included fraudulent deductions resulting in a $24,494 tax loss to the state.
None of the taxpayers consented or had knowledge of the fraudulent deductions.
If convicted, Simmons faces a maximum sentence for each count of five years in prison and/or a fine of $500, plus the cost of prosecution. She is being held in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
Find tips for choosing a tax preparer on the SCDOR’s website at dor.sc.gov/iit.
The SCDOR is committed to the fair administration of tax laws. By taking enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers, the Department seeks to prevent unfairly increasing the tax burden on those who do comply.
