The W-2 Mentioned He Had A Job. Investigators Say The Tax Preparer Made It Up

A New Orleans tax preparer was arrested after investigators stated she used fabricated W-2 withholding data to inflate state earnings tax refunds for shoppers.

The Louisiana Division of Income recognized the tax preparer as Jasmine Iriel Dumas. The company stated Dumas faces a number of felony fees tied to an alleged scheme to steal state earnings tax refunds.

Investigators stated Dumas filed state returns with false W-2 withholding data. The inflated refunds additionally elevated the commissions Dumas paid herself for getting ready the returns, in response to the division.

The fees are allegations. Dumas is presumed harmless until confirmed responsible.

A Suspicious 2022 Return Triggered The Case

The Louisiana Division of Income stated investigators flagged a suspicious return that included a W-2 type for 2022.

The consumer advised investigators he was not employed that yr. He additionally stated he had by no means labored for the corporate listed on the return and had not given Dumas data claiming he had.

Investigators stated the returns Dumas submitted precipitated the state to concern $6,569 in illegitimate refunds. The investigation stopped one other $59,909 in fraudulent refunds earlier than they had been issued.

Dumas Was Booked On Felony Expenses

Dumas was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail on June 30, 2026, in response to the Louisiana Division of Income.

The listed fees are principal to submitting or sustaining false public information, principal to theft, and principal to tried theft.

FOX 8 reported that jail information additionally listed an open fugitive warrant and that Dumas remained jailed Wednesday in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

The division stated Dumas is the 81st individual arrested beneath a joint anti-tax fraud initiative involving the Louisiana Division of Income and the state lawyer normal’s workplace.

False Withholding Can Go away Taxpayers Uncovered

A false W-2, pretend employer, inflated withholding quantity, or refund that appears too giant can create issues for the taxpayer whose identify is on the return.

The IRS says taxpayers are in the end answerable for the accuracy of each merchandise reported on their tax returns, even when a paid preparer completes the paperwork.

The IRS additionally warned in its 2026 Soiled Dozen checklist about overstated withholding schemes, the place fabricated wage or withholding knowledge is used to fabricate a bigger refund. The company stated inaccurate claims can result in processing delays, penalties, and enforcement motion.

Taxpayers Ought to Evaluation A Return Earlier than It Is Filed

Taxpayers ought to evaluation each return earlier than signing or authorizing digital submitting. Earnings, withholding, dependents, credit, deductions, direct deposit data, and the preparer’s data ought to match the taxpayer’s precise information.

A paid preparer should signal the return and embody a sound Preparer Tax Identification Quantity. Taxpayers ought to keep away from preparers who refuse to signal, ask them to signal a clean return, base the payment on the dimensions of the refund, or promise an even bigger refund with out information to help it.

Anybody who discovers {that a} preparer filed false data ought to save the return, W-2s, pay information, messages, receipts, direct deposit particulars, and any paperwork the preparer equipped. Tax preparer misconduct might be reported to the IRS, and Louisiana taxpayers can even contact the Louisiana Division of Income if a state return is concerned.