State Revokes Their Licenses & Privileges
Four Queens tax preparers lost their filing privileges for allegedly not submitting their own income tax returns for two consecutive years, it was announced last Wednesday, July 30.
Raymond Cuadrado of Ridgewood, Louis Chicca of Rego Park, Clara Diaz of Richmond Hill and Johnny Moran of Corona were among 40 individuals statewide who had their tax preparation license suspended by the state Department of Taxation and Finance.
Even though they completed and filed tax returns for customers, Gov. Andrew Cuomo stated last Wednesday, the tax preparers allegedly failed to do their own returns for 2011 and 2012. The suspensions were the result of new tax preparation regulations announced in March.
“These new rules were put into place to protect taxpayers and ensure those entrusted to prepare tax returns abide by real professional standards,” Cuomo said in a press release. “By disqualifying those who fail to live up to their responsibilities, we are strengthening the system and ensuring that the millions of New Yorkers who use a tax preparation service receive what they paid for.”
“It’s this simple: If you don’t file your own taxes, you shouldn’t be allowed to file returns for other New Yorkers,” added State Taxation Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox. “Without our new regulations, we would have no recourse against these preparers or others who are plainly unqualified.”
The regulations require that all tax preparers pass a state competency exam, participate in annual professional development, be at least 18 years of age and have a minimum high school or equivalency diploma.
Anyone who believes a tax preparer has or may be engaged in illegal conduct is advised to contact the Taxation Department at 1-518- 530-HELP or visit www.tax.ny.gov.
