Dodge City Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns

WICHITA, KAN. – A tax preparer in Dodge City pleaded guilty today to filing false income tax returns, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Maria R. Garcia, 48, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of preparing tax returns containing false statements. In her plea, she admitted preparing numerous tax returns for tax years 2013, 2014 and 2015 that contained false statements. As a result, her clients received refunds in excess of what they were owed. The total loss to the Internal Revenue Service was more than $101,700.

The plea agreement calls for Garcia to pay the full amount in restitution and to be permanently prohibited from working as a tax preparer.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 15. She faces a penalty of up to three years in federal prison and a fine up to $100,000. McAllister commended the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst for their work on the case.