Bergen Tax Preparer Collected Returns Using Dead Man's ID: Feds

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A Montvale tax preparer was indicted on charges he allegedly used a dead man's identity and a Las Vegas post office box to illegally collect IRS refunds, federal officials said.

Federal agents arrested Wayne Dunich-Kolb, 53, after a federal grand jury returned a new 29-count indictment against him, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said.

The indictment accuses Dunich-Kolb of filing bogus tax returns, stealing client refunds and committing identity theft "in connection with refunds stolen from a deceased taxpayer," Carpenito said.

According to the indictment, Dunich-Kolb prepared and mailed fraudulent returns through various tax preparation companies, which he ran from his former Saddle River residence and current Montvale home, Carpenito said. He also used a post office box in Las Vegas in connection with the scheme, he said.

Dunich-Kolb caused many of his clients to form fictitious partnerships or corporations that existed in name only and had no business purpose other than to falsely reduce the clients’ tax liability, Carpenito said. He also allegedly prepared false and fraudulent business returns for clients.

Dunich-Kolb falsified clients' tax returns from 2007 to 2016. He also falsified his own personal federal tax returns by underreporting income from 2006 to 2008 by about $500,000 to $657,000 annually. He claimed he only made $400, $526 and $489 in 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively.

Dunich-Kolb also stole clients' federal tax refunds by having the IRS mail the checks to his Las Vegas post office box. They were then forwarded to his Montvale residence. He deposited the money into his bank accounts and used the money for personal expenses.

Dunich-Kolb faces decades in prison and millions of dollars in fines if found guilty of the charges filed against him.

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