SHARE

CT Man Sentenced, Must Pay Back $400K For Preparing False Returns

A former tax preparer in Connecticut is heading to prison and must pay back more than $400,000 for preparing false tax returns and underpaying his own federal taxes.

U.S. District Court in Hartford.

U.S. District Court in Hartford.

Photo Credit: File

Waterbury resident Michael Mir, 41, was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison following a four-year scheme through a tax preparation practice he operated in his hometown.

From 2012 through 2015, Mir prepared more than 3,300 federal tax returns, John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, stated when announcing his sentence this week. During that time, Mir falsified information on numerous returns that he prepared for clients by fabricating business expenses, or by inflating deductible medical and dental expenses.

During that stretch, Mir deposited more than $400,000 that was generated through his business into his own bank account. However, Durham said Mir failed to report any income from that business on his 2013 personal income tax return. The following year, he reported just $18,500 from the business. Mir didn’t file a tax return in 2015.

Through the scheme, Mir stole $406,679 from the government. He pleaded guilty in March to one count of aiding and assisting the filing of a tax return.

Durham said that Mir must make full restitution to the government, and the IRS is taking steps to recover unpaid taxes from his former clients. Mir was also ordered to perform 75 hours of community service and will serve one year of supervised release when he leaves prison.

to follow Daily Voice Ridgefield and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE