St. Louis Tax Preparer Sentenced for Fraud
A federal judge ordered Latasha L. Frison to serve 56 months in prison for filing 16 counts of false tax returns.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Taxes
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Latasha L. Frison was sentenced to 56 months in prison for falsifying tax returns at her St. Louis business between 2020 and 2023. The court also ordered Frison to pay $270,793 in restitution for her role in the scheme.
Why it matters
The conviction highlights the ongoing federal effort to identify and prosecute tax preparers who fabricate business expenses and credits. This case underscores the significant financial risks to taxpayers who entrust their personal data to dishonest preparers.
The court identified 16 counts of fraud, with an additional 37 tax returns found to contain false information during an IRS civil audit. Frison collected $240,000 in fees while documenting fabricated expenses, including non-existent fuel purchases.
The players
Latasha L. Frison
She is the defendant who operated a tax preparation business and was convicted of multiple counts of tax fraud.
Joshua M. Divine
He is the federal judge who presided over the case and handed down the 56-month prison sentence.
The details
Frison operated her tax business in St. Louis and routinely falsified Schedule C forms by inventing businesses, fake expenses, and exploiting COVID-19 tax credits. Investigation revealed that the defendant spent over $145,000 of the proceeds at local casinos.
Timeline
Latasha L. Frison opened her tax preparation business in late 2017.
The falsified tax returns occurred between 2020 and 2023.
The trial concluded with guilty verdicts on July 1, 2026.
Judge Joshua M. Divine sentenced Frison on September 30, 2026.
Market Dynamics
This case follows a pattern of abuse of the IRS Schedule C business expense reporting requirements, which are frequently exploited in tax fraud cases. Such enforcement actions reflect a broader systemic crackdown on fraudulent preparers who undermine the integrity of the tax filing ecosystem.
Taxpayers should verify that their preparers are authorized and maintain records of all claimed business expenses to avoid personal liability. This conviction serves as a reminder to monitor tax filings annually for any discrepancies added by third-party services.
The takeaway
Tax preparers are legally responsible for the accuracy of the returns they submit, and fraudulent activities often lead to long-term criminal consequences. Always review your final tax filing thoroughly before submission to ensure that claimed credits and expenses are legitimate.
Further reading
Learn more about federal tax filing guidelines and compliance on the Taxes section.
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