Survalarie Harris, a tax preparer based in Jacksonville, has pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. Harris faces up to three years in prison, with sentencing set for December 10, 2025.
Court documents show that Harris prepared tax returns containing false information for her clients. She included fictitious business expenses on the returns without requiring documentation from taxpayers. This practice resulted in reported net losses for non-existent businesses, which reduced clients’ adjusted gross income and allowed them to claim the Earned Income Credit—a refundable credit based on income and filing status.
On March 22, 2022, Harris prepared a 2021 tax return for an undercover IRS agent posing as a customer. During their conversation, Harris informed the agent she would owe money on her return but suggested she could help obtain a refund if the agent claimed to have done side work such as hair braiding. After the agent agreed, Harris stated that she would receive a refund of $2,950 minus an additional fee. No documentation or proof of business activity was requested or provided during this process.
IRS agents discovered that Harris had been preparing falsified returns since at least 2018 and estimated that more than 900 such returns were filed between the 2020 and 2022 tax years. As part of her plea agreement, Harris acknowledged causing at least $1,824,279 in tax loss to the United States.
“This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.”
