A Plantation, Fla., tax preparer has been barred from preparing federal tax returns for others. The Department of Justice said that Keisha Stewart cost the government as much as $1.6 million for tax years 2010, 2011 and 2012.Stewart was accused of inflating income and using fictitious income to quality clients to receive or maximize the earned income tax credit; claimed false tax credits that are refundable or decrease the amount of tax on her customers' returns, including phony education credits (American Opportunity Credit) and residential energy credits. She was also improperly claimed head of household status to decrease clients' tax liabilities.
The Justice Department also said she included such items on customers' returns without their knowledge.