Survalarie Harris, a tax preparer based in Jacksonville, has pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. Harris faces up to three years in prison, with sentencing set for December 10, 2025.
Court documents show that Harris prepared tax returns for clients while knowingly reporting false information. This included fabricating claims of business activity to reduce the amount owed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or increase refunds. IRS agents found that Harris repeatedly used this method by creating fictitious business expenses on tax returns, even when there was no supporting documentation from her clients. These fabricated losses lowered taxpayers’ Adjusted Gross Income and allowed them to apply for an Earned Income Credit, which is a refundable credit based on income and filing status.
On March 22, 2022, Harris prepared a 2021 tax return for an undercover IRS agent posing as a customer. During their meeting, Harris told the agent she would owe money but suggested that claiming side work could result in a refund for an additional fee. The undercover agent mentioned braiding hair occasionally; however, Harris did not request any proof of income or losses before preparing a return indicating a net loss from a non-existent business. As described in court records: “Harris told the undercover agent that she could help the undercover agent receive a refund for an additional fee. Moments later, Harris told the undercover agent that she was receiving a refund of $2,950, minus the additional fee.” Despite lacking documentation or details about actual business activity, Harris completed and filed the return.
The investigation revealed that since at least 2018, Harris had been preparing falsified returns on behalf of taxpayers. Agents estimated more than 900 such returns were submitted between tax years 2020 and 2022 alone. In her plea agreement, Harris acknowledged causing at least $1,824,279 in tax loss to the United States.
The Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation led the inquiry into these activities. Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams is prosecuting the case.
“Harris told the undercover agent that she could help the undercover agent receive a refund for an additional fee. Moments later, Harris told the undercover agent that she was receiving a refund of $2,950, minus the additional fee.”
