Published March 29, 2022

Louisiana Tax Preparer Charged with Filing False IRS Returns, Making False Statements to IRS and Dept. of Ed

Louisiana – Kenisha R. Callahan, age 44, and a resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, was charged by bill of information on March 25, 2022, by the U.S. Attorney for filing a false tax return, aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return and making a false statement to the Department of Education, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Count one of the bill of information charges Callahan, the owner of Callahan Tax Service, with preparing and filing a false 2015 U.S. Individual Tax Return Form 1040, on which she underreported her earned income for the alleged time period. Count two charges Callahan with assisting in the preparation and filing of a client’s tax return in 2015, which falsely stated to the IRS that the client owned a business and had a business loss for the 2014 tax year. Count three charges Callahan with financial aid fraud for falsely reporting her 2015 income to the Department of Education while applying for student loan forgiveness.

A bill of information simply alleges that crimes were committed. Until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant is presumed innocent.

Callahan faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $100,000 fine per tax count if convicted. According to the Department of Education count, the maximum sentence is five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Callahan will be required to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each count of conviction if convicted.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the IRS-Criminal Investigation special agents and the Department of Education for their handling of the case. Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. Rivera is prosecuting the case.

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