Date: March 2, 2022 Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov Two former tax preparers based in El Cajon pleaded guilty in federal court today to their involvement in a tax return scam that resulted in the filing of hundreds of false returns. In a hearing before U.S. District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel, Mimi Bozzo, also known as Mimi Morrison, and Vincent Bozzo, admitted their involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by aiding and assisting the filing of false income tax returns. Mimi and Vincent Bozzo admitted they previously owned and operated a tax return preparation business in El Cajon under various business names, including "All Pro Services" and "A to Z Tax Preparation," that solicited taxpayers by passing out flyers and business cards at local welfare offices, homeless shelters, and trolley stations. The Bozzos additionally admitted that from January 2014 through April 2018, they knowingly prepared and filed several hundred federal income tax returns that contained false Schedule C business income and expenses, resulting in fraudulently inflated tax credits and refunds. Specifically, the Bozzos encouraged taxpayers to create false receipts for income and expenses, and then prepared and submitted tax returns based on these false receipts. In total, the false returns prepared and filed by Vincent and Mimi Bozzo caused the IRS to disperse refunds to taxpayers with losses over $225,000 and $540,000 respectively "Tax fraud continues to be a growing problem plaguing our community," said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. "When these tax fraud scams committed by local tax preparers are brought to our attention, we will work with the IRS to unravel the fraud and prosecute those responsible for defrauding the IRS and honest taxpayers in order to protect the integrity of our tax system." Grossman thanked the prosecution team and the IRS for their excellent work on this case. "The Bozzos, working as return preparers, had a duty to assist clients with preparing and filing accurate income tax returns. Instead the Bozzos targeted those in need at local welfare offices and homeless shelters to perpetrate a multi-year tax fraud scheme," said Ryan L. Korner, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office. "IRS Criminal Investigations reminds the public to choose a tax preparer wisely. Each year taxpayers' personal information is comprised by unscrupulous tax preparers. For more information go to IRS.gov." Mimi and Vincent Bozzo are scheduled to be sentenced on June 13, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel. The public is reminded that tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen SSN (or the SSN of a dependent) to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. If your SSN is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, the IRS recommends these additional steps: Respond immediately to any IRS notice; call the number provided. Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit PDF, if your e-filed return is rejected because of a duplicate filing under your SSN. Attach the competed form to your return and mail according to instructions. Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper. If you previously contacted the IRS and did not have a resolution, you may contact them for specialized assistance at 800-908-4490.
