Husband and Wife Tax Team Convicted of Fraud

A Union County tax preparer was convicted of tax fraud on Tuesday for getting unearned tax refunds for his clients to make extra money.

Courtney Johnson, 45, of Union Township, New Jersey, was convicted of six counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false federal income tax returns following a two week trial in Trenton federal court.

According to court documents, Johnson prepared and filed federal individual income tax returns that were false and fraudulent as to material matters. The returns attached schedules for fictitious businesses that the taxpayers did not own or operate, inflated charitable contributions, fabricated itemized deductions — all to generate fraudulently inflated refunds.

His wife, Carol Johnson, 44, who ran the business with him, previously pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony and is awaiting sentencing.

The pair operated tax preparation businesses in South Orange and Jersey City.

Each false tax return count carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.