LAKE CHARLES, La. - United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that the owner of a Lake Charles tax preparation business pleaded guilty Thursday to underreporting income on his tax returns over a three-year period.
Randall Joseph Carrier Jr., 41, of Cypress, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi on one count of making and subscribing a false tax return. According to the guilty plea, Carrier, who owns and operates Taxx Enterprises Inc. of Lake Charles, failed to report approximately $189,961 of income on his 2007, 2008 and 2009 tax returns, which resulted in an estimated loss of $66,366 to the IRS. The majority of missing income came from customer tax preparation fees that Carrier did not report.
“Tax preparers are not above the law," Finley stated. “When they use their businesses to take advantage of the system and avoid paying taxes, they will be prosecuted and held accountable. “Preparing false tax returns is a serious crime. My office stands ready to assist the IRS in investigating these cases."
“We are pleased with the guilty plea entered today by Mr. Carrier," stated Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Jerome R. McDuffie. “The tax system is built on the premise that taxpayers file accurate and timely tax returns. Mr. Carrier was in the business of preparing tax returns for others and willfully failed to report a significant amount of his own income. To ensure confidence in our tax system, special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation are committed to the aggressive pursuit and prosecution of individuals who intentionally violate the nation's laws."
Carrier faces up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, a $100,000 fine and restitution. A sentencing date of April 30, 2015 was set.
The IRS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard C. Parker and Robert E. Moore are prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
