Learning Center

We keep you up-to-date on the latest tax changes and news in the industry.

Justice Department Indicts Brooklyn Dietician for Tax Refund Scheme

The U.S. Justice Department has announced the indictment and arrest of Ehrenfriede Kauapirura, a Brooklyn, New York dietician. She is charged with multiple counts of filing false tax returns, obstructing the Internal Revenue Service, and willful failure to file a tax return.

Charges Include Fraudulent Refund Claims, Obstruction, and Failure to File Tax Multiple Returns

According to a press release issued by the United States Department of Justice, in 2015 Kauapirura filed a false amended tax return on which she reported roughly hundreds of thousands of dollars in fictitious tax withholdings that she claimed entitled her to roughly a quarter million dollars in tax refunds. She successfully pursued the same strategy the following year on her official 2016 return.

Following the dispersal of approximately $500,000 in refunds, the IRS reviewed her claims and, upon determining that they were fraudulent, attempted to have her return the funds that she had wrongfully received. According to the Department of Justice, her initial response to their collections effort was to transfer the funds from her personal bank account into a trust over which she had control. She also wrote and submitted a check for $1 million to the agency in payment for her tax debt: the check later proved to have been written from an account from a non-existent bank.

Non-Payment of Taxes Added to Tax Refund Fraud Charges

In addition to her fraudulent tax refund scheme and her actions to evade justice, Kauapirura also failed to file any tax returns at all for tax years 2017 through 2020. According to TaxBuzz, the charges against her could easily add up to multiple years in jail, as the charge for failure to file a tax return is one year for each of the returns she did not file, plus an additional three years for the obstruction charge and three years for each of the false tax returns that she filed. No trial date has been set at this time. Multiple agencies are involved in the tax evasion case, which was revealed by acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York, and Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins Sarah of IRS-Criminal Investigation.

Taxes can be challenging. If you need assistance with preparing your tax returns, preparing an amended tax return, or with any other tax-related questions, contact us today to set up a time for us to talk.

Share this article...

Want our best tax and accounting tips and insights delivered to your inbox?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

Benefits of having a business advisor

Your CFO, Reimagined as a Financial Doctor

Diagnosing root causes, prescribing solutions, and guiding your property business toward long-term wealth.

Our CFO | Advisor

Raquel is a passionate business owner. Now, she is returning to her grassroots with a twist - guiding clients with her expertise as a CPA, she can advise your company as your trusted CFO and Advisor.

  • Raquel Deodanes, MS, CPA

    Co-Founder

    CPA with Real-World Experience – I help property managers stay profitable, tax-efficient, and cash flow positive.
    Tax Strategist – Former advisor at California’s revenue agency.
    Trusted by 4,000+ Businesses – Experience across CA, FL, TX, NV, and beyond.
    Real Estate Investor – I understand the financial realities of property management.
    Entrepreneur – I’ve built businesses and know the challenges you face.

Frequently Asked Questions

We diagnose financial inefficiencies, treat problems like poor cash flow or rising costs, and guide you to long-term financial health. That includes cleaning up your books, forecasting cash flow, optimizing operations, and helping you grow your portfolio with confidence — just like a doctor builds a custom care plan for a patient.

Bookkeepers record transactions. CPAs file your taxes. We connect the dots — helping you understand your numbers, strategically improve them, and make smarter decisions throughout the year. We work alongside your existing team to drive performance, not just compliance.

If you're unsure where your cash is going, struggling with rising costs, planning to scale, or just tired of reacting instead of planning — now is the right time. We help you get ahead of problems, not just clean up after them.

Clients typically see improved cash flow, cleaner books, higher NOI, better financial reporting, and a lot less stress at tax time. More importantly, you gain clarity, confidence, and control over your business — and a partner who helps you grow it.

Pricing

Painless, transparent pricing.

Let us take away your stress and give you back your time. Choose your perfect package today.

Base

$499 /mo
  • Dedicated finance expert

  • Bookkeeping with accrual basis

  • Includes P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements

Core

$999 /mo
  • Includes everything in Base, PLUS

  • Industry KPIs and financial ratios

  • Monthly virtual 1-hr meetings

  • Monthly rolling budget forecasts

Growth

$1999 /mo
  • Includes everything in Base, CORE

  • Budget vs. actuals variance analysis and review

  • Payroll and HR Platform