Central Florida tax preparer arrested on federal fraud charges

ORLANDO, Fla. — Owners and employees of a Central Florida tax preparation company were arrested on federal charges for allegedly filing fraudulent tax returns on behalf of clients between 2017 and 2020, court records show.

The Neighborhood Advance Tax, which operated at nine malls across Central Florida, was the subject of a News 6 investigation after customers who originally received large tax refunds were audited by the IRS and forced to pay back the government.

According to court records, company owners Franklin Carter, Emmanuel Almonor and Jonathan Carrillo were indicted by a federal grand jury last month on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

The grand jury also indicted Abryle De La Cruz, Isaiah Hayes, Diandre Mentor and Adon Hemley, who reportedly worked as tax preparers.

(EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (Free) | PINIT! Share your photos)

Neighborhood Advance Tax charged its customers up to $999 to prepare tax returns while promising them the “maximum refund,” according to the company’s now-defunct website.

Prosecutors allege that the conspirators obtained inflated refunds for customers by fraudulently claiming tax deductions such as unreimbursed employee expenses and charitable gifts.

The operators of Neighborhood Advance Tax created a training manual that taught tax preparers how to fraudulently inflate clients’ tax refunds without being “flagged” by the IRS, the indictment says.

Tax advisors were also trained not to pass on fraudulently created tax documents to customers, the indictment states.

“We have confidence in the jury system and the legal process and will remain patient until this matter is resolved,” said Carrillo’s attorney, Brice Aikens. “My client maintains his innocence and we are confident that my client will be exonerated once all the facts are presented in court.”

The other defendants could not initially be reached for comment.

After News 6 began reporting customer complaints in 2020, Neighborhood Advance Tax was reportedly sold to a new owner and renamed.

The IRS offers advice on choosing a qualified tax advisor on its website.

The agency also warns about so-called “ghost” preparers who do not sign tax returns or provide the preparer’s tax identification number or PTIN.

If a tax preparer attempts to obtain a larger refund by claiming false exemptions or omitting income, the IRS encourages taxpayers to file a complaint.

Get today’s headlines in minutes Your Florida daily newspaper: