Tappy Phillips has the exclusive story from the IRS building in Midtown.
The IRS is now investigating Diana Aliffi. And if the allegations are true, she was running a very clever scam. She apparently had close to 500 victims who the government said were completely unaware, until they got bills from the government saying they owed thousands.
"I never got the tax return form, I never signed it, I never saw the number she put in, and IRS is saying I owe them $33,000," Cheryl Kuhn said.
Kuhn is talking about the shocking tax bill she got from the IRS. She and her friend Linda Niksa both used the same tax preparer, and both got costly surprises.
"In 2006, it started to get strange after I had my taxes done," Niksa said. "I wanted a copy of my taxes and I did not get it right away."
Both women say they found their accountant was skimming money from their refund. For Linda, the tax form her preparer gave her said she got $5,100 back. But the IRS told her they had actually sent $5,368. And the amount she actually received was just $4,923.
"I went to get a real copy of my 2006, and then I realized that money was taken from me," Niksa said. "I just couldn't believe it."
So we confronted Aliffi.
Tappy: "You know you're in trouble with the law, don't you?"
Aliffi: "Yes, I was notified and I am working with them on that."
The IRS and Suffolk County police say she filed bogus tax returns for hundreds of clients.
Tappy: "They say that you filed false and bogus tax forms for them and kept part of the refund, right?"
Aliffi: "Is that what they're saying? Well, that's not what happened."
Tappy: "What happened?"
Aliffi: "This year we've had a glitch in our system."
And then this year, Cheryl says the scam got even bolder, filing for refund anticipation loan without even telling her.
Tappy: "So you mean from this past year, she filed your tax return without you even knowing?"
Kuhn: "Right. Nothing, nothing. Stolen identity."
Aliffi: "No one intentionally filed this year, except maybe one or two people."
Tappy: "Then why did you file for a refund anticipation loan?"
Aliffi: "That's what I'm saying, is there was a girl here that I was training and we somehow, we hit a button or something."
Suffolk County officials say they've already seized some of Aliffi's records and are examining them to formulate charges against her.
Authorities say it could amount to hundreds of felonies charged to the tax preparer.
To contact Suffolk County District Attorney (regarding this case):
Call 631 853-5602 or click here
To check if your Tax Preparer is a CPA (in NY), click here
Tax Tips from the IRS to choose your own Tax Preparer:
Taxpayers who pay someone to do their taxes should choose a preparer wisely. If you choose to use a paid tax preparer, it is important that you find a qualified tax professional. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for everything on their return even when it's prepared by someone else
The most reputable preparers will request to see your records and receipts and will ask you multiple questions to determine your total income and your qualifications for expenses, deductions, and other items. By doing so, they have your best interest in mind and are trying to help you avoid penalties, interest, or additional taxes that could result from later IRS contacts.
While most tax return preparers are professional and honest, taxpayers can use the following tips to choose a preparer who will offer the best service for their tax preparation needs.
You can report suspected tax fraud and abusive tax preparers to the IRS on Form 3949-A, Information Referral or by sending a letter to Internal Revenue Service, Fresno, CA 93888. Download Form 3949-A from Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
