Douglas County Tax Agent Charged with Fraud

In Douglas County, a tax agent is under investigation for allegedly falsifying clients’ tax documents, leading to inflated refunds and higher fees. This situation has prompted some of his clients to reach out for help after noticing issues with their returns.

Many customers expressed concern; they received refunds that seemed suspiciously high, which raised their apprehensions about possible consequences from the IRS. One customer mentioned receiving a check for over $10,000, which felt drastically off. Another, named Jabnir Springer, pointed out that his refund was surprisingly large at $1,500, when it should have been less.

Due to these unusually high refunds, customers quickly became uneasy. “I can’t believe this is happening,” said one person anonymously, clearly upset. The allegations suggest that Shannon Melton, the tax preparer affiliated with Melton, Wagner & Blake, LLC, deliberately inflated these figures to justify higher fees instead of maintaining standard refunds.

As one client put it, “They falsify information, inflate profits and charge higher fees.” Another man stated he paid almost $2,500 for tax preparation, only to discover that his refund had been manipulated, including $15,000 worth of expenses he didn’t authorize.

In light of these concerns, he decided to file a police report, believing he was a victim of fraud. Further complications arose when he received a letter from the IRS regarding self-reported inaccuracies. However, when he reached out to the IRS, they claimed no documentation had been sent.

Another individual came forward with claims that Melton used his information to file taxes without his consent, generating even more alarm. “What she’s doing is illegal,” he noted, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Records confirm that Melton lacks the federally required taxpayer identification number for paid tax preparers.

Despite attempts to contact Melton for comment, she declined to respond. Both men affected in this case indicated they’ve incurred significant costs in their efforts to rectify the situation with the IRS and avoid penalties. One customer remarked, “What she’s doing feels like fraud. She charges hefty fees and poses as a certified tax professional.”

As of now, these clients have returned their inflated refunds to the IRS and filed police reports in two counties. Notably, Melton’s business license was revoked last year, further complicating an already troubling scenario.