Maryland Tax Preparer Banned from Preparing Returns After Fraud Conviction

Residents of Prince George’s County should be aware that a local tax preparer has been convicted for filing fraudulent tax returns, potentially affecting refund integrity and state revenue. Funso Posi Timothy, 60, of Lanham, pleaded guilty to two counts of submitting false returns and has been banned from preparing tax filings for others while on probation.

Timothy operated Romaft Taxes out of his Lanham home and filed multiple state tax returns for 2021 containing false information. These filings led to inflated refunds and underreported tax liabilities, resulting in financial losses for the State of Maryland. The Comptroller’s Office, working with the Office of the Attorney General, uncovered the discrepancies through its fraud detection efforts.

The Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County sentenced Timothy to three years in prison, which were suspended in exchange for five years of supervised probation. During that time, he must repay $18,422 in restitution to the state. As a condition of his sentence, Timothy is prohibited from engaging in tax preparation services for others, aiming to prevent further misuse of the tax system.

The conviction underscores increased scrutiny of tax preparers by Maryland authorities. Residents are advised to verify the credentials of anyone handling their tax matters and be cautious of promises of unusually large refunds, which may indicate fraudulent practices. The state’s enforcement agencies continue to prioritize protecting taxpayer funds and personal information from abuse.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from a press release by the Office of the Maryland Attorney General

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