High volume of questionable returns received
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (April 13, 2023) – Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Liermantoday announced that effective immediately, she has suspended the processing of electronic tax returns from 13 tax preparers located throughout the region and out of state. Today’s action is due to a high volume of questionable returns received from these preparers.
The Comptroller of Maryland regularly monitors income tax filings to ensure legal compliance and may suspend or revoke the e-File privileges of any electronic filer who does not adhere to the requirements and specifications contained in the Maryland MeF Handbook for Authorized e-File Providers. Tax preparers who have been denied or suspended from participation in the Maryland e-File Program may request an administrative review within 30 days from the date of denial or suspension.
“The Office of the Comptroller is committed to doing everything possible to ensure that private tax preparers act honestly to protect the best interests of the Maryland taxpayer,” said Comptroller Lierman.“Today’s action underscores our commitment to continually fulfilling the agency’s critical oversight responsibilities. I look forward to collaborating with the Attorney General and Secretary of Labor should the actions of these preparers be determined to merit criminal prosecution.”
Below is the list of preparers or businesses suspended from processing electronic tax returns:
Baltimore City
-- Carolyn Boice, 3723 Boarman Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215
Prince George’s County
-- Yadof Financial LLC, DF Bockarie, 9410 Annapolis Road, Suite 313, Lanham, MD 20706
-- Romaft Tax, aka Timothy Funso, 7926 Glenarden Parkway, Lanham, MD 20706
-- BAI S. Mansary, 6535 Landing Way, Landover Hills, MD 20784
-- PCSCS Tax Services, Celestin A. Fanga, 4921 Indian Head Hwy, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Montgomery County
-- Eaglet 200, Brafi Adomako Jr., 7611 Maple Ave., Suite 610, Silver Spring, MD 20912
Frederick County
-- Jazpro Solutions LLC, Jazmin Schiano Di Cola, 416 W. Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21701
Out of State
-- K Coleman Legal Document Preparation, Katrina J. Coleman, P.O Box 234, Claymont, DE 19703
-- Godlove Jelaa, 9720 Botsford Road, Manassas, VA 20109
Patriot Tax Services LLC, Maxwell Taylor, 4326 Evergreen Lane, Annandale, VA 22003
-- Best Group Tax Services, 6330 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite A2, Tucker, GA 30084
-- Merseigne Pro Business Consulting, Maurice Ntock DBA, 21209 NW. 14thPlace, Apt. 820, Miami, FL 33169
-- DDK Global Solutions, Inc., Danny K. Dorman, 1915 Grand Jct., Alpharetta, GA 30004
As required under an IRS Security Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Comptroller of Maryland shared this information with other tax agencies and has also advised the Maryland Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Department of Labor (DOL) of the decision so that they can take any additional appropriate actions. The OAG will then prioritize cases to be prosecuted after thorough investigations by agents with the Comptroller's Special Investigative Unit. Of the cases investigated and prosecuted, the conviction rate is 100%.
"When licensed tax preparers defraud the State by filing unlawful returns, they not only hurt their customers, but they also deprive State government programs and services of funds they need to serve the needs of all Marylanders,” said Attorney General Brown.“Through our valued partnership with the Comptroller, my Office will prosecute those responsible and ensure accountability.”
The Maryland Board of Individual Tax Preparers within the Department of Labor oversees the process by which individuals may apply to register as independent tax preparers. Additionally, the Board maintains a list of all authorized tax preparers registered by the Board, maintains records of all complaints regarding individual tax preparers in the State, and submits reports to the Maryland General Assembly.
“The Maryland Department of Labor applauds this action by the Comptroller and the Attorney General's office to rein in unlicensed and fraudulent tax preparers,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “The Board of Individual Tax Preparers looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Comptroller’s Office to protect Maryland’s taxpayers and ensure that tax preparers are licensed and in compliance.”
In selecting a tax preparer, taxpayers should:
- Check the preparer’s qualifications and training.
- Check to see if the preparer holds a professional license.
- Be wary of anyone asking for you to submit a blank or unfinished return.
- Be wary of anyone asking to submit your refund into their bank account.
- Refuse to use a preparer who won’t sign their name or their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) on the tax return.
- Be wary of anyone who deducts fees from their refund.
“CASH commends Comptroller Lierman for proactively stopping bad tax preparers from exploiting Maryland taxpayers” Robin McKinney, co-founder and CEO of the CASH Campaign of Maryland. “CASH led efforts to license paid tax preparers in 2008 and we applaud the Comptroller for sending a strong message that fraud and abuse will not be tolerated. We look forward to continuing our partnership to educate taxpayers on how to choose a quality tax preparer.”
“We applaud the Comptroller and her team for not only doing the necessary work to root out tax fraud and scams but her urgency to educate and inform the public,” said Joshua Harris, Maryland State Conference NAACP, 1st Vice President. “At the NAACP we know that often times it is poor people of color and our elders that fall victim to these tax scams. It is critical that citizens of Maryland know and understand tax fraud scams so that they can avoid the pitfalls and financial harm.”
“Tax season can be stressful enough without the specter of unscrupulous tax preparers,” said AARP Maryland State Director Hank Greenberg.“The AARP Fraud Watch Network receives hundreds of calls about such schemes. AARP Maryland appreciates this move from the Comptroller’s Office to help protect Marylanders from these bad actors.”
If a taxpayer suspects fraud, they are asked to immediately report the issue to the Office of the Comptroller by calling 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937)or emailing TAXHELP@marylandtaxes.gov. This year’s tax filing deadline is April 18.
To review the list of previous preparers from which the Comptroller's Office has suspended processing returns, visit our website at https://www.marylandtaxes.gov/tax-security/blocked-tax-preparers.php