Winchester tax preparer pleads guilty to tax fraud

WINCHESTER, Ky. (WTVQ)- A Winchester woman admits she submitted false individual income tax returns to avoid paying thousands of dollars in federal income taxes.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky Kerry Harvey says 44-year-old Virginia Christine Smith pleaded guilty to tax fraud in federal court. Harvey says Smith owned a tax return preparation business called ‘Christina’s Bilingual Service’ when she lied about her income on personal tax returns in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Smith ran the business out of her Winchester home.

Prosecutors say Smith admitted failing to pay $40,079 in federal taxes. As part of a plea deal, Smith will repay that amount to the Internal Revenue Service, plus penalties and interest.

She faces up to three years in prison when she is sentenced on November 18.