Aiding Preparation of False Tax Return lawyer Queen Anne’s County, MD

You are a tax preparer in Centreville or a business owner in Stevensville. One morning, an IRS Criminal Investigation Division agent leaves a business card with your receptionist. Or a letter arrives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland—a target letter. The letter states you are under investigation for aiding the preparation of a false tax return under 26 U.S.C. § 7206. Your career, your finances, and your freedom suddenly feel fragile. Federal tax charges are not administrative mistakes. They carry the threat of felony conviction, prison, and the end of a professional livelihood. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. understand the weight of a federal criminal investigation and appear in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland on behalf of clients in Queen Anne’s County. Call (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Strategy Options for Defending Federal Tax Charges

A defense against a charge of aiding preparation of a false tax return rests on a careful examination of the government’s evidence and the intent of the person accused. Federal prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused acted willfully—that the person knew the return was false and voluntarily assisted in its preparation. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel attorneys scrutinize the record for any evidence that the alleged conduct was a mistake, a product of inadequate training, or reliance on a supervisor. They look for gaps in the paper trail that weaken the government’s claim of willfulness. Sometimes the statute of limitations has run, or the IRS failed to follow its own internal procedures. In other instances, the government’s case depends on testimony from a cooperating witness whose credibility can be challenged. The firm builds a defense strategy tailored to the facts of your specific situation.

What to Expect When Facing an IRS Criminal Investigation

Federal tax investigations do not begin with an arrest on the street. Typically, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division works with other agencies—the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, or the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration—to examine financial records, interview witnesses, and trace returns. If agents believe a crime was committed, they refer the matter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, which presents the case to a federal grand jury in Baltimore or Greenbelt.

An indictment is followed by an arraignment in U.S. District Court. The Speedy Trial Act governs the pace, but complex tax fraud cases often take twelve to eighteen months or longer to resolve. Pretrial motions address evidence, witness testimony, and procedural challenges. There is no parole in the federal system. If convicted, a person serves the vast majority of the sentence imposed under the advisory sentencing guidelines. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys prepare clients for each court appearance, negotiating with prosecutors when a resolution is achievable and preparing for trial when it is not.

Penalties for Aiding Preparation of a False Tax Return

A conviction under 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2) carries a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000 for an individual, and a period of supervised release following incarceration. The court also orders restitution—payment of the tax loss to the government. In addition, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines may require a prison term even for a first-time offender, depending on the tax loss amount and the defendant’s role in the offense. Asset forfeiture is possible when property is traceable to the alleged fraud. A felony conviction also results in the loss of certain professional licenses and disqualification from federal employment. Because no two cases are alike, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team provide a realistic assessment of the exposure you face. For a fuller explanation of the statutory framework, visit our main site at srislawyer.com.

Attorney Credentials: Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who founded the firm in 1997. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His experience on both sides of the courtroom informs the firm’s approach to federal criminal defense.

Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys include a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney who prosecuted cases in Maryland District and Circuit Courts and now applies that prosecutorial insight to defense work in federal court. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland on behalf of Queen Anne’s County residents. Results may vary.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I am under investigation for tax fraud in Maryland?

Contact a federal criminal defense lawyer immediately and do not speak with IRS agents without counsel present. Anything you say to an investigator can be used against you in a criminal prosecution. The firm’s attorneys can intercede on your behalf, handle all communications, and work to protect your rights from the earliest stage. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

How does the IRS decide to pursue criminal tax charges?

The IRS Criminal Investigation Division refers a case for prosecution when it believes there is evidence of willful violation of the tax laws, such as a pattern of false returns, concealed income, or instructing clients to claim improper deductions. Civil audits that uncover discrepancies do not automatically become criminal matters; the decision turns on indicators of fraud. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether the government’s evidence meets that threshold and push back before an indictment is filed.

What are the potential punishments for aiding a false return?

Under 26 U.S.C. § 7206, a person convicted of aiding the preparation of a false tax return faces up to three years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, supervised release, and restitution. The actual sentence under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines depends on the amount of tax loss, the defendant’s criminal history, and other factors. There is no parole in the federal system. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Can I go to jail for helping someone with their tax return?

Yes, if you knowingly help a taxpayer file a return that contains a material false statement, you can be charged as a principal under the federal aiding and abetting statute and face the same penalties as the person who filed the return. The government does not need to prove you signed the return; merely assisting with knowledge of the falsehood is enough. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work to separate innocent mistakes from criminal conduct.

How do I find a federal criminal lawyer near Queen Anne’s County?

Look for a defense team that is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and has experience with IRS criminal investigations. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel represent clients from Centreville, Queenstown, Grasonville, and throughout Queen Anne’s County. They are familiar with the local federal court procedures and the Assistant U.S. Attorneys assigned to tax cases. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.

Do I need a lawyer if I am only a witness in a tax fraud case?

You may still need a lawyer even if you are only a witness, because your statement could later expose you to charges of your own, and a lawyer can help you navigate the investigation without inadvertently incriminating yourself. Federal agents often interview multiple people before deciding whom to charge. Having counsel present protects your interests. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.

Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Today. To request a consultation about an IRS criminal investigation or federal tax charge in Queen Anne’s County, call (888) 437-7747. Our firm’s Rockville location serves clients from Centreville, Queenstown, Grasonville, Stevensville, Chester, Church Hill, and the surrounding Eastern Shore communities. By appointment only.

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Results may vary. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.