JB Tax Services owner admits to tax evasion
The owner of JB Tax Services, a tax return preparation business in Hackensack, admitted to tax evasion, assisting her clients in filing falsified tax returns; and filing false declarations on quarterly tax returns for her business, stated U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Joshlyn Raye, 49, of Elmwood Park, assisted in preparation of 50 false tax returns on behalf of her clients, officials said. When filing quarterly employment tax returns for her preparation business, she admitted to falsifying three of these reports.
While she was the owner of JB Tax Services between March 2010 to September 2023, she knowingly and willfully evaded her personal income taxes over three of those years, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey.
When filing these false reports, Raye reportedly used fabricated and inflated figures, including expenses and itemized deductions, the release stated.
Raye pleaded guilty on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court for the charges of one count of tax evasion, one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return and one count of filing a false declaration under penalty of perjury concerning a quarterly tax return on behalf of her tax return business.
The former business owner is facing a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for aiding or assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return and filing a false declaration under penalty of perjury, and maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for tax evasion.
Her sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 6. Raye has agreed to pay the government restitution of $676,168, and to file amended tax returns.
Special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins, are responsible for conducting this investigation.