Cheated on returns, admits tax preparer

A Georgia man, formerly of Little Rock, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of fraudulent income tax returns, which caused a loss of nearly $1.1 million to the government.

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Christopher Craig, 47, who now lives in Atlanta, admitted preparing false employment tax returns, Forms 941, on behalf of other taxpayers April 30, 2010, and March 1, 2012, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Chris Thyer and Christopher Henry, special agent in charge of the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Division in Nashville, Tenn.

Unbeknownst to the taxpayers, Craig filed the returns in a way that reduced the amount of federal withholdings the taxpayers owed to the IRS, the officials said. Craig collected payments from the taxpayers for the correct amount of employment taxes but diverted to himself the difference between the correct amount owed and the amount paid to the IRS, they said.

They noted that for the two returns, Craig diverted $43,280.50 to himself, although his actions caused a total loss to the government of $1,092,177.79.

"The defendant in this investigation wreaked havoc on the integrity of our tax system in a very short period of time," Henry said. "Taxpayers should be selective in choosing a return preparer and have confidence knowing that person will prepare accurate tax returns and safeguard their financial information."

Craig faces up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 on each of the two counts.

Metro on 08/27/2014

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