A Memphis tax preparer has admitted to preparing and filing false tax returns for clients, according to an announcement by United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee.
Court documents and statements reveal that Rebecca Gilley, 41, who also used the names Rebecca Green and Rebecca Maxwell, owned a tax preparation business in Memphis. Between 2018 and 2022, Gilley prepared returns containing false information such as fabricated education credits and sick and family leave credits. These actions led her clients to receive inflated refunds they were not eligible for.
In 2020 and 2021 alone, Gilley filed over 1,000 tax returns seeking more than $9.25 million in fraudulent sick and family leave credits. The court found that she often included these items without informing her clients or reviewing the final returns with them. The total loss caused by this scheme exceeded $350,000.
Gilley pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. She is scheduled for sentencing on June 10, 2026 before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L Parker. The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison; federal law does not allow parole.
As part of her plea agreement, Gilley agreed to pay $386,661 in restitution to the IRS and will be permanently barred from working as a tax return preparer. She may also face supervised release and additional monetary penalties. Sentencing will be determined after consideration of federal guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant stated: “Protection of the United States Treasury and taxpayer resources is a top priority for the Department of Justice and this office. Income tax fraud schemes strike at the very heart of our federal government’s financial ability to provide services and protection for our citizens, and we will use all available resources to punish and deter such dishonest criminal behavior.”
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Prosecution is being handled by Trial Attorneys Caroline Pearson and Max Willner-Giwerc from the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Tax Section.
