ST. LOUIS – A former tax preparer was sentenced to five years of probation for preparing over 40 fraudulent tax returns for 13 clients, costing the IRS over $300,000.

Attorneys say Shasherse Reed, 53, collected over $10,000 in fake expenses.

“Reed made up businesses out of thin air and claimed tens of thousands of dollars in false business expenses, false medical and dental expenses, mortgage interest, state and local taxes, and deductible employee expenses, all for the purpose of inflating the refunds of her clients,” said U.S. assistant attorney Jonathan Clow.

During these incidents, prosecutors alleged that Reed claimed that her daughter was the paid tax preparer for the returns under a tax business. 

The business, Majac Money, is owned by her daughter because Reed’s Preparer Tax Identification Number was revoked by the IRS in 2015. In that year, Reed reportedly submitted false tax returns under her business, Sha-Sha Taxes.

When officials began investigating Reed, she prepared a fraudulent tax return for an undercover agent, court documents say.

From 2017 to 2021, attorneys also believed that Reed charged customers hundreds of dollars  for preparing false tax returns. She pleaded guilty in February to two counts of aiding and assisting in preparing false and fraudulent tax returns.

Reed will also pay $230,000 in restitution.