$1.5M in false claims gets tax preparer jailed
The Canadian Press
Posted: Feb 21, 2011 11:45 AM ET
Last Updated: Feb 21, 2011 11:45 AM ET
The Canada Revenue Agency says a Toronto tax preparer has been jailed for filing returns with more than $1 million in false claims.
Bernard Sarfo pleaded guilty last Thursday to one count of tax fraud and was sentenced to 14 months.
Sarfo operated tax return businesses in Toronto and nearby Pickering.
Court records show he prepared about 180 false tax returns on behalf of 147 clients, claiming almost $1.5 million in false claims, deductions and credits, the Canada Revenue Agency said in a release.
The 2004 to 2007 returns included false charitable donations, and false business and rental losses.
As a result of the false claims, the agency says the amount of federal taxes owed was fraudulently reduced by almost $298,000 resulting in false refunds.
The agency says Sarfo worked at a Finch Ave. W tax office and LTS Direct and Liberty Tax Service in Pickering.
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