Rockford Tax Preparer Charged With Filing False Personal Income Tax Returns

ROCKFORD — A Rockford, Ill. woman was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of tax fraud. ANNA MARTINEZ, 44, was charged with three counts of filing a false income tax return with the United States Internal Revenue Service. The alleged false returns Martinez filed were for tax years 2006, 2007, and 2008.

According to the indictment, Martinez owned and operated Community Tax Service, a tax preparation business, in Rockford, Illinois. Martinez allegedly filed her U.S. Individual Income Tax Return Form 1040 with schedules and attachments for the calendar year 2006, that she verified by written declaration made under the penalties of perjury, and allegedly failed to disclose approximately $68,026 of receipts of Community Tax Service for 2006. The indictment similarly charges Martinez with failing to disclose approximately $236,524 of receipts of Community Tax Service for the 2007 tax year, and approximately $79,594 of receipts of Community Tax Service for the 2008 tax year.

Martinez is scheduled to appear at the Federal Courthouse in Rockford on Monday, April 15, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., for arraignment. The arraignment will be conducted by United States Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney.

Each count of filing a false tax return carries a penalty of up to 3 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $100,000. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines, as well as restitution.

The indictment was announced today by Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and James C. Lee, Special Agent-In-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division.

Members of the public are reminded that a criminal indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Paccagnini.

Indictment