Jersey Preparer Gets 18 Months

A Bloomfield, N.J., tax return preparer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for preparing returns with false deductions to secure large refunds for clients.

According to a report at NorthJersey.com, Rigot Joseph, 55, previously pleaded guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false tax returns.

Joseph was arrested in April, according to the Department of Justice, which added that as the sole owner of RJM Professional Tax Services, he prepared returns that claimed fabricated and inflated Schedule A itemized deductions.

For filing years 2005 through 2007, Joseph prepared client returns that claimed deductions based on false gifts to charity, false job expenses and other false miscellaneous expenses in order to obtain large refunds for his clients, according to the DOJ’s original documents.

In addition to the prison term, Joseph was sentenced to two years of supervised release, news reports said.