Bridgeport Tax Return Preparer Sentenced in Federal Tax Fraud Case

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 39-year-old tax return preparer from Bridgeport was sentenced to three months in prison, followed by a year of supervised release and a fine of $7,500 for a tax fraud offense, announced United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery

Additionally, Torise Baker must pay $112,956 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. She was sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Sheain in Hartford. The amount of Baker's restitution may be reduced as her clients resolve their own tax liability with the IRS.

According to court documents and statements, for the 2014 through 2016 tax years, Baker, an enrolled agent permitted to represent clients before the IRS, prepared approximately 3,600 federal tax returns for clients through 101 Things2 Do, LLC, a multi-service business she operated in Bridgeport.

Many of these tax returns claimed false deductions, including unreimbursed business expenses, charitable contributions and tax preparation fees, according to prosecutors.

In April 2016, Baker met with an undercover federal agent posing as a customer. The agent provided Baker with a W-2 for the 2015 tax year, told Baker that he/she did not make any gifts to charity, and offered no information about any other valid deductions.

However, on the tax return that she prepared and filed for the agent, Baker included $5,520 in deductions for charitable gifts; $2,105 for parking fees, tolls, and transportation; and $2,660 for uniforms and protective clothing.

Those deductions were false.

In addition, Baker failed to file her own federal tax returns and pay taxes for the 2015 and 2016 tax years.

As a result of Baker’s criminal conduct, many of her clients’ filed tax returns will need to be amended.

Baker pleaded guilty in March to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent income tax returns.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.