Date: May 24, 2022 Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Leroi G. Jackson of New Orleans, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan to three (3) years in prison for aiding and assisting in the filing of false federal tax returns, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 7206(2). Jackson previously pleaded guilty to this charge, which stems from his operation of The Taxman Financial Services LLC ("Taxman"), a business that prepared federal and state tax returns for customers and had offices in New Orleans and LaPlace, among other locations. According to court records, federal agents determined that Jackson filed false income tax returns for numerous Taxman customers. For example, Jackson would create false business losses or false education credits, all without his clients' knowledge. Jackson had several employees obtain an IRS Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN), which allowed the employees to file customer taxes. However, many of these employees never used their EFINs. Instead, Jackson would use his employees' EFINs to file false tax returns for customers. Jackson profited by charging customers at least $500 per return, which would be deducted from the customer's refund. From tax years 2014 through 2016, Jackson admitted that he caused a tax loss to the United States of $241,214.00. "Today, Mr. Jackson admitted to owning a tax preparation business that blatantly ignored the tax laws by preparing false tax returns and misusing his electronic filing privileges," said Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey, Atlanta Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. "Dishonest return preparers use a variety of methods to cheat the government, including falsifying information on the tax returns to generate larger refunds for their clients. Criminal Investigation will continue to ensure that all tax practitioners, tax preparers and others who practice in the tax law profession adhere to professional standards and follow the law." In addition to the three-year term of imprisonment, Judge Morgan sentenced Jackson to one year of supervised release. He is also required to pay restitution to the United States totaling $241,214.00 as well as a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. As part of his plea, Jackson agreed to a permanent injunction that prohibits him from ever preparing tax returns for any other taxpayer. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, which handled this investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew R. Payne and K. Paige O'Hale handled the prosecution.
