SC woman faces 12 counts of falsifying tax returns

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An S.C. woman has been arrested and charged with 12 counts of preparing or assisting in the preparation of false state individual income tax returns.

Kenishi Lorraine Ingram, 43, of Lancaster, owned and operated MWM Tax LLC, a tax preparation service, according to a news release from the S.C. Department of Revenue.

For four years, Ingram allegedly prepared tax returns using fraudulent information including false schedules, income, expenses, deductions or losses, according to arrest warrants. The returns covered tax years 2017-2020.

None of the taxpayers whose returns Ingram prepared consented to or knew about the fraudulent information, the release said. The state is owed $23,693 in taxes as a result of the fraudulent information and the refunds the false returns generated.

If convicted, Ingram faces a maximum sentence of five years and/or a fine of $500 for each count. She is being held in the Lancaster County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

If you suspect or know of a person or business that has committed a state tax crime, contact SCDOR Criminal Investigation and submit a Tax Violation Complaint Form to [email protected] or mail it to SCDOR, Attn: Fraud Advisor, 2070 Northbrook Blvd, Suite B7, North Charleston, SC, 29406.