Union County Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Creating Fraudulent Returns

Emmanuel Amenyo faces up to three years in prison after admitting to filing fraudulent tax returns that caused significant revenue losses.

In a recent federal court session in Newark, New Jersey, a Union County tax preparer, Emmanuel Amenyo, 59, of Union, admitted to engaging in the preparation of fraudulent tax returns, which led to his clients receiving substantially larger refunds than they were entitled to. This confession has set the stage for a potential maximum sentence of three years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Amenyo pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to charges related to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. The charges stem from activities that spanned from 2018 through 2021, during which Amenyo operated a tax preparation service. Through his business, he submitted numerous tax returns for his clients that included falsified deductions and credits, such as charitable contributions, itemized deductions, and child and dependent care expenses.

Amenyo’s fraudulent activities not only led to inflated refunds for his clients but also implicated him directly, as he also subscribed to false tax returns concerning his own finances. The total tax loss attributed to Amenyo’s fraudulent activities is estimated at $250,466.

The consequences of Amenyo's actions are severe, with potential penalties including a $250,000 fine in addition to the prison term. His sentencing is scheduled for April 1, 2025, marking a significant date for accountability in the tax preparation profession.

This case was meticulously investigated by special agents from IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan. The government's case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Stern of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark, highlighting the broad scope of prosecutorial efforts to combat fraud and protect the integrity of the U.S. tax system.

Emmanuel Amenyo’s guilty plea serves as a cautionary tale for tax professionals about the severe repercussions of undermining the tax system, emphasizing the commitment of federal authorities to uphold tax laws and pursue those who seek to defraud the government.