HOUSTON - A tax preparer has been charged with preparing a fraudulent joint 2013 tax return for taxpayers, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Norma Galvan is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam S. Sheldon at 2 p.m. today.
The charges allege Galvan prepared materially false information on her clients’ joint 2013 income tax return. She allegedly claimed those taxpayers had a business loss of more than $53,000 and over $25,000 in income tax withholdings. As a result the tax return falsely claimed a refund of more than $18,000, according to the criminal information.
If convicted, Galvan faces up to three years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
IRS - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Escher is prosecuting the case.
A criminal information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
