A Tennessee accountant has been sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing millions of dollars from his clients and committing tax fraud, according to an announcement from Robert E. McGuire, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Jason Alexander Jerkins, a resident of Franklin and owner of Jerkins Business Solutions, pleaded guilty on July 30, 2025. Court documents reveal that between March 2020 and April 2025, Jerkins used his access to clients’ bank accounts—granted for legitimate bookkeeping and payroll services—to transfer more than $4.6 million from 45 clients into accounts he controlled. He disguised these transfers with generic descriptions such as “Jerkins Business Sol” or “Jerkins Business Sale,” often making them near legitimate transactions. When questioned by clients, he provided false documentation or covered up thefts by taking money from other clients.
Jerkins also engaged in tax fraud by preparing at least 80 false tax returns that increased his clients’ refunds without their knowledge. He directed the IRS to deposit portions or all of these inflated refunds into accounts under his control. To hide this activity, he gave clients a different version of the return than what was filed with the IRS. In total, he attempted to steal about $380,010 through this scheme and succeeded in obtaining roughly $280,970.
The funds were used for personal expenses including paying off credit cards, vacations, leasing vehicles, buying real estate, and purchasing luxury items for himself and his family.
“Jerkins’ clients did not know that he was filing tax returns with the IRS that were different than the copy provided to them,” said Acting U.S. Attorney McGuire. “Jerkins had an obligation to file accurate income tax returns for his clients, but instead, he betrayed them by not only stealing from his clients, but also the American taxpayers in order to line his own pockets and finance his opulent lifestyle.”
In addition to imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger ordered Jerkins to pay approximately $4.5 million in restitution to victims and the United States.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. Prosecution was handled by Trial Attorney Matthew Hicks of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Levine of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
