Lanham Tax Preparer Sentenced For Filing False Returns

LANHAM, MD — A tax preparer has pleaded guilty and was convicted of filing false returns through his business Romaft Taxes.

Funso Posi Timothy, 60, of Lanham was registered to prepare tax returns in Maryland and owned and operated Romaft Taxes, a tax preparation service, from his home in Lanham. For tax year 2021, Timothy filed numerous tax returns with the Comptroller of Maryland for Maryland residents, but several of those tax returns included false information that unlawfully increased the refunds remitted, evaded the tax due and caused a loss to the state, according to prosecutors.

“When tax preparers knowingly submit fraudulent returns, they divert funds that support critical public services—from educating our children to keeping our communities safe,” said Attorney General Anthony Gregory Brown. “Our office will not hesitate to hold accountable those who abuse the tax system and undermine the resources Marylanders depend on.”

The state's Questionable Return Detection Team and Field Enforcement Bureau use advanced technologies and investigative skills to identify suspicious returns, such as the ones filed by Timothy, said Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman.

“My agency is laser-focused on protecting hard-working Marylanders from tax fraud, including from dishonest tax preparers,” Lierman said. “Our prosecution of these cases demonstrates we will do all we can to end this type of deceitful and destructive behavior.”

The Honorable Richard R. Trunnell of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County sentenced Timothy to three years of incarceration, all suspended in favor of five years of supervised probation. As a condition of probation, Timothy was ordered to pay $18,422 in restitution to the comptroller. As a special condition of probation, he is prohibited from filing tax returns for others while he is on probation, prosecutors said.