Norwich Tax Preparer Sentenced In Fraud Case: Feds

NORWICH, CT — A tax preparer who partly worked out of Norwich has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for preparing false tax returns for numerous clients, according to a statement from prosecutors. Keyante Paul, 34, of Florida, will also serve one year of supervised release.

Paul traveled to Norwich for part of the year to prepare returns for Connecticut clients via her business, Keys Tax Services. According to prosecutors, Paul prepared numerous federal tax returns for clients that included false income “adjustments” that reduced taxpayers’ reported adjusted gross income or false expenses and losses for sole proprietorship businesses that her clients did not operate.

Paul’s criminal conduct caused losses totaling more than $550,000 to the U.S. Treasury and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, according to prosecutors.

Paul was arrested June 16, 2022. She pleaded guilty Feb. 23 to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return.

Restitution will be determined after additional court proceedings.