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Samuel Gentle, owner of the tax firm, is accused of preparing tax returns with deliberately inflated deductions for business expenses and gifts to charity from 2009 through 2012, according to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. In total, Gentle's actions are believed to have cheated federal and state governments out of $630,000.
"As alleged, Samuel Gentle abused his position of trust as a tax preparer by systematically assisting taxpayers in filing false and fraudulent returns," Bharara said in a statement. "Today's charges underscore our commitment to pursuing and prosecuting individuals who seek to enable and encourage tax fraud."
In the wake of the charges brought against Gentle, IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Shantelle P. Kitchen urged people to choose their tax preparers wisely.
"Ask him or her questions about your return and use your common sense in evaluation of the answers you receive," Kitchen said.
Gentle, 59, was arraigned Wednesday, March 30, in Federal Court in White Plains, where he was charged with 50 counts of aiding and assisting the preparation of false and fraudulent U.S. individual income tax returns, according to Bharara. Each count carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison.
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