Birmingham Tax Prep Business Owner Indicted Over False Returns

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The owner and operator of a Birmingham tax preparation service was indicted Tuesday on charges of filing a false tax return and preparing false returns for clients. Shuntan Renee Rue, owner of Rue Tax Service, was indicted on 17 total charges.

The indictment alleges that Rue falsified clients’ returns by reporting fictitious business income and expenses as well as false medical expenses, charitable gifts and employee expenses. The indictment further alleges that Rue falsely reported education expenses on clients’ returns and on her own 2013 tax return.

“Tax preparers are held to a higher standard because of their position with the public trust,” U.S. Attorney Jay Town said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office along with IRS-Criminal Investigations will continue to aggressively pursue those who attempt to defraud the American tax system, American taxpayers, and the American treasury.”

If convicted, Rue faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison for each count. Rue also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.