A Lynn, Mass.-based tax preparer, who falsely claimed some clients worked for him, has pleaded guilty to four counts of filing false tax returns. Arismendy Ramos, age 42, also pleaded guilty to two counts of obstructing the Ramos, also known as Arismendi Ramos and Aris Almonte, operated Almonte Tax, a tax preparer service in Lynn. Ramos was accused of filing forms with the IRS that reported he had paid clients to work for him from 2008 through 2013. Even though the clients never worked for him nor had they been paid by him, Ramos claimed their wages as business expenses on his own tax returns.
Ramos also told two clients to lie if they were asked about his claims. Each count carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.