Tax Preparer Sentenced for Falsifying Tax Returns

St. Louis, MO – Renell Mace, 36, of Atlanta, GA, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for his role in preparing fraudulent tax returns.  Mace appeared today before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh, Jr.

According to court documents, between January 1, 2010 and February 1, 2015, Mace worked as a tax return preparer for two business entities called Mace Property Group, LLC and Simplee Amazing Catering, LLC.  Mace filed nearly 100 false tax returns, stating false wages for the purpose of increasing a taxpayer’s Earned Income Tax Credit refund or stating false educational expenses for the purpose of falsely claiming various refundable educational tax credits and the names of his clients. The actual amount paid to Mace and others through this scheme was $342,741.

The Internal Revenue Service – Office of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Gwen Carroll is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.