Not2Taxing, Inc.

St. Louis tax preparer admits stealing client funds
IRS Criminal Investigation St. Louis Field Office
1,102 followers
June 11, 2026

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Zachary M. Bluestone sentenced a former tax preparer to 27 months in prison and ordered him to repay the $52,080 he stole from clients’ tax refunds and COVID-19 stimulus payments.

From 2016-2020, Mark A. Murphy prepared tax returns for clients but did not list himself as the paid return preparer. Murphy instead signed the taxpayers’ names on the returns, making it appear that they had submitted the returns instead of him. Without the taxpayers’ knowledge, he opened bank accounts for them that he used to collect his tax preparation fees from clients’ tax refunds.

The bulk of Murphy’s crime concerned Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), which were issued directly from the IRS to taxpayers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of these EIPs were deposited into the unauthorized bank accounts that Murphy set up. Despite knowing that these EIPs were intended for his clients and not him, Murphy withdrew EIP funds in cash and used debit cards linked to the accounts to make personal purchases. During this period, Murphy also kept a client’s entire tax refund for himself. Murphy stole a total of $52,080 in EIPs and refunds from clients from April 2020 to March 2021.

“The Defendant attempted to conceal the fact that he prepared tax returns for his clients and then stole their refunds by opening bank accounts in their names without their knowledge or approval,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation St. Louis Special Agent in Charge William Steenson. “IRS-CI remains committed to tracking down fraudsters who exploit the U.S. tax system by stealing from innocent taxpayers and the U.S. Treasury.”

Murphy pleaded guilty in March to one count of theft of government property.

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and IRS – Criminal Investigation handled the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow prosecuted the case.
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San Diego CPA Pleads Guilty to $5 Million Tax Fraud Schemes
IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office
1,471 followers
June 5, 2026

SAN DIEGO – Oladapo Olagbemi, a longtime certified public accountant, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday, admitting he filed thousands of false income tax returns on behalf of clients that resulted in more than $5 million in improper deductions and credits.

Olagbemi, who managed San Diego-based D.A.O. Accounting, Consulting, and Taxation, pleaded guilty to four counts of aiding and assisting the preparation of false tax returns. Shortly before tax day, April 15, 2026, he signed a plea agreement in which he admitted to multiple schemes between tax years 2019 and 2023 to help clients get illegitimate refunds by claiming business expenses, charitable gifts, and energy credits to which the taxpayers were not entitled.

Olagbemi is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro.

Based on Olagbemi’s plea agreement, one of his schemes was preparing false Schedules 1, C, and E accompanying his client’s individual income tax returns between at least 2020 and 2023. He prepared returns that reported false business losses totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Taxpayer clients had no such reportable business, and the expenses he claimed for them were non-deductible personal expenses. Olagbemi knew the taxpayers were not entitled to report such losses or the resulting decreases in taxable income. During that four-year period, he prepared at least 5,470 Form 1040 returns with Schedules C. At least 3,981 of those had no gross receipts for the falsely claimed businesses.

Another of Olagbemi’s schemes was preparing false Forms 2106 to accompany taxpayers’ Form 1040 returns. On this form, Olagbemi advised and presented to the IRS purported business expenses and resulting decreases in taxable income, even though he knew the taxpayer was not permitted to use the 2106 form because they were not a fee-based state or local government official. Between 2020 and 2023, Olagbemi was involved in presenting to the IRS at least 1,684 Forms 2106 with individual clients’ tax returns. After Olagbemi became aware of the IRS’s investigation of his fraudulent use of Schedule C returns, he increased his use of fraudulent use of Forms 2106—and prepared several of them even after being notified by the IRS about the proper uses of this form.

Olagbemi also used Schedules A to prepare and submit false income tax returns. On these documents, he falsely claimed or overstated gifts to charity and corresponding itemized deductions of tens of thousands of dollars, even though he knew the taxpayer was not entitled to report such charitable contributions.

Further, based on the plea agreement, Olagbami prepared individual tax returns falsely claiming residential energy credits. He prepared and presented false Forms 5695 to accompany Form 1040 tax returns between at least 2021 and 2023. On these Forms 5695, he advised a taxpayer client to falsely claim solar water heating property costs, even though he knew the client did not purchase or have any such costs and was not entitled to report them or the corresponding tax credits.

Based on the plea and restitution agreements, Olagbemi agreed to restitution of least $1,522,794 based on his schemes and resulting tax losses between 2018 and 2023. He also agreed to be permanently prohibited from preparing, assisting in, directing, or supervising the preparation or filing of federal tax returns for anyone other than himself.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Horn.

DEFENDANT Case Number 26CR1982-RBM

Oladapo Olagbemi Age: 72 San Diego, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Aiding and Assisting in Preparation of False Income Tax Returns – Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(2)

Maximum penalty (per count): Three years in prison; fine of up to $250,000

INVESTIGATING AGENCY

Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation

Bridal Shop Owner Sentenced to Prison for Willfully Failing to Pay More Than $1.3M in Employment Taxes
Monday, June 15, 2026
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs

A Parker woman was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison for willfully failing to pay over employment taxes on behalf of the bridal shop company she owned and operated for more than a decade.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Donna M. Savoy owned and operated Donna Beth Creations, a bridal studio in Denver, Colorado. As the owner of the company, Savoy was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare and income taxes from her employees’ wages, paying those funds over to the IRS and filing quarterly employment tax returns with the IRS.

For more than a decade – that is, from the first quarter of 2014 through the fourth quarter of 2024 – Savoy admitted that she withheld taxes from her employees’ wages but willfully failed to pay them over to the IRS. Savoy also willfully failed to file employment tax returns for that entire period. Savoy spent the tax money she withheld from her employees on personal and business expenses. In total, Savoy caused a tax loss to the United States exceeding $1.3 million.

Savoy pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to account for and pay over trust fund taxes.

Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Stuart A. Wexler of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section prosecuted the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Updated June 15, 2026
Component
Criminal Division
Press Release Number: 26-656

Press Release
Colorado Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Filing a False Tax Return
Thursday, May 14, 2026
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For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs
A Colorado business owner pleaded guilty to filing a false personal tax return with the IRS.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Manuel Rocha, of Aurora, Colorado, owned and operated Rocha’s Drain, a drain installation business, and Rocha’s Liquor, a liquor store, both located in Denver, Colorado. While operating these businesses, Rocha diverted income to additional bank accounts to conceal the true amount of money he earned.

Each year from 2015 through 2022, Rocha provided records and information to his tax preparers that omitted his diverted income. As a result, he underreported the income he and his businesses earned during each of these years. In 2021, for example, Rocha reported that his two businesses earned $57,907 in gross receipts. In reality, the businesses earned approximately $691,650—a difference of more than $600,000.

In total, Rocha caused a tax loss to the United States of approximately $2.2 million.

Rocha is scheduled to be sentenced on August 25 and faces a maximum of three years in prison for filing a false tax return. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys David F. Scollan and Megan E. Wessel of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section are prosecuting the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Updated May 14, 2026

Got mail from the IRS? Don’t toss it

Some taxpayers may get mail from the IRS. It’s important that they open any mail they receive and read it carefully.

Most letters or notices are about federal tax returns or tax accounts. Each notice will outline the specific issue and include steps the taxpayer needs to take. A notice may reference changes to a taxpayer's account, taxes owed, a payment request or a specific issue on a tax return or credit.

Review the information. If the mail is about a changed or corrected tax return, the taxpayer should review the information and compare it with the original return. If the taxpayer agrees, they should make notes about the corrections on their personal copy of the tax return and keep it for their records. Typically, a taxpayer will need to act only if they don't agree with the information, if the IRS asked for more information or if there’s a balance due.

Take any requested action. This may include making a payment. The IRS and authorized private debt collection agencies do send letters by mail. Taxpayers can also view digital copies of select IRS notices by logging into their IRS Online Account. The IRS offers several options to help taxpayers struggling to pay a tax bill. Taking prompt action could minimize additional interest and penalty charges.

Reply only if needed. Taxpayers don't need to reply to a notice unless specifically told to do so. If a taxpayer needs to call the IRS, they should use the number in the upper right-hand corner of the notice and have a copy of their tax return and letter.

Let the IRS know of a disputed notice. If a taxpayer doesn't agree with the IRS, they should follow the instructions in the notice to dispute what the notice says. The taxpayer should include information and documents for the IRS to review when considering the dispute.

Keep the letter or notice for their records. Taxpayers should keep notices or letters they receive from the IRS for three years from the date the tax return was filed. These include adjustment notices.

Watch for scams.
The IRS will never contact a taxpayer using social media. The first contact from the IRS usually comes in the mail.

If you are one of our clients, please be sure to send us a copy of any IRS correspondence. We are here to help you

Press Release
Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Florida Return Preparers
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
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For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs
The Justice Department has filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida seeking to enjoin Florida-based return preparers Cedric Reid, Juan Santana, and Reid’s business, Advance Tax Group Inc. (Defendants) from preparing federal income tax returns for others. Defendants’ offices are located in Daytona Beach and Ocala, Florida, the complaint says.

The complaint alleges that Defendants prepare federal income tax returns for customers on which they claim fraudulent deductions and credits, purposely underreporting the tax their customers owe and claiming refunds their customers are not entitled to receive. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Defendants prepared returns that falsified filing status; reported false or inflated business expenses and losses; and claimed false fuel tax credits, education credits, and other credits. According to the complaint, Defendants used the false information they reported to maximize their customers’ earned income tax credit (EITC) and failed to follow the IRS’s EITC due diligence requirements.

The government alleges in the complaint that Defendants caused an estimated tax loss of more than $7 million in 2023 and 2024 alone.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General Joshua Wu of the Civil Division’s Tax Litigation Branch made the announcement. Tax Litigation Branch attorneys Meredith Hollman and Amanda Cornwell are handling the case.

Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers.

In the past decade, the Department of Justice has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Civil Division, Tax Litigation Branch with details.

Updated April 29, 2026

Be informed, not fooled by ghost preparers and tax credit scams

The tax filing season is coming to an end in a couple of weeks, but that doesn’t mean scammers and schemers take a break. Here’s a couple more things from the recently released Dirty Dozen, that taxpayers should be mindful of.

Ghost preparers
Taxpayers should choose their tax professional wisely. Paid preparers must sign and include a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number on every tax return. A “ghost” preparer prepares a return but refuses to sign it and/or refuses to include a PTIN. These unlicensed or unethical tax return preparers should be avoided. When a preparer refuses to sign or provide a PTIN, that is a major red flag; the taxpayer is legally responsible for what is filed. Taxpayers should never sign a blank or incomplete return.

Ghost preparers also often exploit credits by promising large refunds. These preparers may:

Exaggerate eligibility for deductions
Claim credits that taxpayers do not qualify for
Disappear after filing, leaving the taxpayer responsible for penalties, interest, or audits
People can make a complaint about a tax return preparer, if a paid preparer filed a fraudulent return, without consent or if they followed improper tax preparation practices.

Phony “Self-Employment Tax Credit”
Another one from the Dirty Dozen is misleading information being shared about a “self-employment tax credit,” which can result in an inaccurate filing. Many taxpayers do not qualify for these credits, and the IRS is closely reviewing claims coming in under this provision, so taxpayers filing claims do so at their own risk. Be informed about any tax credits and eligibility requirements before claiming them. The IRS Interactive Tax Assistant can help a person decide if they're eligible for many popular tax credits and deductions.

Taxpayers are reminded to rely on trusted sources and qualified tax professionals, not bad tax advice on social media. People can confidentially report suspected tax fraud, scams, identity theft, or other tax-related wrongdoing at IRS.gov/submitatip.

404 | Internal Revenue Service 404

https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/miami-man-accused-of-posing-as-cpa-in-500000-fraud-scheme-police-seek-more-victims/3787069/

Miami man accused of posing as CPA in $500K fraud scheme, as cops seek more victims Police said Francisco Marrero, 78, allegedly created and provided fraudulent vouchers as proof of payment as part of the scheme.