Department of Justice Seal Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2005
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
TAX
OPA (202) 514-2007
TDD (202) 514-1888

FEDERAL COURT BARS NORTH CAROLINA MAN FROM PREPARING TAX RETURNS FOR OTHERS

Kernersville Man Allegedly Prepared Returns Containing Improper Deductions


WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Justice Department announced today that a North Carolina federal court has barred William Jackson Connor, Jr., of Kernersville, North Carolina, from preparing tax returns for others. In entering the permanent injunction order, Judge James A. Beaty, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, in Greensboro, also ordered Connor to notify his customers of the injunction and to provide the government his customers’ names, mailing and e-mail addresses, and telephone and Social Security numbers. The injunction also prohibits Connor from advising or assisting anyone in the preparation of a federal tax return, and from owning or working for a tax-preparation business.

According to the government’s complaint, Connor operated his return-preparation business under the names Fastest Tax Refund Service, Bill Jackson Enterprises, Inc., and BJE Concepts, Ltd. Connor allegedly prepared returns containing improper head-of-household filing status, false exemptions, and fictitious deductions. The complaint alleges that Connor failed to sign his name to returns he prepared, as required by law. According to the complaint, Connor’s customers are harmed both because they pay him fees for the preparation of fraudulent returns, and, after the fraud is detected, are responsible for paying all taxes, interest, and penalties.

“People should select their tax-return preparers with care,” said Eileen J. O'Connor, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “The Justice Department is working vigorously to stop the preparation and filing of false or fraudulent returns that unfairly shift the tax burden to honest American taxpayers.”

In 1997, Connor pleaded guilty to preparing false federal tax returns. Earlier this year, Connor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States or to defraud the United States, in connection with his return-preparation activities.

This injunction suit is part of an effort to stop the promotion of tax scams and the preparation and filing of false and fraudulent returns. The Justice Department has obtained injunctions against more than 100 promoters and tax preparers since 2001. More information about these cases is available at <http://www.usdoj.gov/tax/taxpress2005.htm>. More information about the Tax Division is available at <http://www.usdoj.gov/tax/index.html>.

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