Brooklyn Tax Preparer Indicted

A federal grand jury indicted a Brooklyn tax preparer, charging him with 31 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false federal income tax returns.

According to indictment Wednesday, between 2008 and 2010, Phillip Baynes operated a tax preparation business called Small Mans Accounting and Tax Service in Brooklyn. During that time, he allegedly prepared false individual income tax returns for taxpayer clients. On the returns, Baynes falsified business expenses and losses, charitable contributions and unreimbursed employee expenses.

If convicted, Baynes faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each count. 

Acting Assistant Attorney General Ciraolo commended the special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case, and Trial Attorneys Mark Kotila and Brittney N. Campbell of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.

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