Survalarie Harris, a Jacksonville tax preparer, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for her role in preparing fraudulent tax returns. U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger also ordered Harris to pay $1,824,279 in restitution, which matches the estimated tax loss resulting from her actions. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
Court records show that Harris operated Tax Genie Tax Service in Jacksonville, where she knowingly submitted false information on clients’ tax returns. She reported fictitious business expenses and non-existent businesses to reduce clients’ taxable income and increase their refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) agents found that this pattern of fraud occurred repeatedly over several years.
In one instance on March 22, 2022, Harris prepared a 2021 tax return for an undercover IRS-CI agent posing as a customer. During their meeting, Harris suggested the agent could claim a refund by reporting side work—specifically hair braiding—even though there was no documentation or proof of such activity. Harris then completed the return indicating a net loss for a non-existent business so that the agent would qualify for an Earned Income Credit.
The investigation revealed that since at least 2018, Harris had been submitting falsified returns on behalf of taxpayers. Between 2020 and 2022 alone, she prepared more than 900 fraudulent tax filings.
“Deliberately submitting false, fraudulent, or misleading information to the IRS is a crime,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “We will work with the IRS to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who deliberately seek to defraud our tax system.”
“Most tax preparers play by the rules—but those who don’t will be held accountable,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “Creating bogus businesses to steal refunds isn’t a shortcut—it’s a felony. IRS Special Agents will relentlessly pursue fraudsters and make sure justice is served.”
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.
