Fresno Man Sentenced to Three Years for $1.5 Million in False Fuel Tax Credit Claims
A Fresno, California man was sentenced this month to three years in federal prison for filing more than 50 fraudulent tax returns that claimed over $1.5 million in refunds.
According to court records, Marice Curry, 35, filed the false returns in 2023 on behalf of various businesses. The returns claimed refundable fuel tax credits the businesses were never entitled to receive.
That credit reimburses businesses for federal excise taxes paid on fuel used off-highway, for work like farming and fishing. Prosecutors said Curry knew the businesses didn’t qualify and claimed the credits anyway. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston imposed the sentence.
IRS Criminal Investigation ran the case. Announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said fraudulent refund claims drain taxpayer dollars and undercut programs built for legitimate businesses.
The Line Between Planning and Fraud
There is a real difference between reducing your tax bill and claiming money you were never entitled to.
The tax code is full of credits, deductions, and elections that legitimately lower what a business owes, and you should take every one you qualify for. But the position has to be supported by the facts of your business.
So if a preparer or a promoter tells you that you qualify for an unusually large credit or refund, don’t assume it’s legitimate because someone is willing to sign the return.
Ask what the credit is. Ask why your business qualifies. Ask what documentation supports it. Ask whether the position matches what your business actually does.
Be especially careful with anyone promising a refund that sounds too good to be true. The return has your signature on it. The preparer walks away from a bad position. The tax, penalties, and interest stay with you.
If You’ve Already Filed Something Questionable
Finding a problem on a return you already filed is uncomfortable. Hoping the IRS never notices is not a plan.
Depending on what was filed and why it was wrong, there is usually a way to correct it. The right approach depends on the specific facts, and the options are almost always better before the IRS starts the conversation.
EverGreen Financials LLC helps taxpayers understand IRS problems, weigh their options, and choose a path to resolution.
If you’re worried about a return you already filed, have received an IRS notice, or have a tax problem that hasn’t been resolved, call EverGreen Financials at 641-200-1873 for a consultation.
