Update 12/21/2024: I am aware that at least two major media outlet tax reporters saw my post about this on social media but still no follow-up published, as far as I can see.
Puzzling tax news yesterday:
AI news digests suggest that the Rafael Alvarez of ATAX indicted in New York yesterday in one of the biggest tax fraud cases in U.S. history, affecting tens of thousands of tax returns, is a different person than the almost Latino celebrity status founder of the national chain based in Virginia Beach. I am skeptical. No direct statement or evidence either way. Why would prosecutorial statements not mention it? Why wouldn’t the company have a statement issued?
National firm headquartered in Virginia Beach VA:
“Raphael Alvarez is the founder, president, and CEO of ATAX Franchise, Inc., the first Latino-owned tax preparation franchise in the U.S. He established ATAX in 1986 and expanded it into a nationwide franchise in 2007, focusing on serving diverse communities, particularly the Latino population. Alvarez has received numerous accolades.”
Guy indicted in US District Court in NY yesterday:
“Rafael Alvarez, 61, of Cortland Manor, New York was the CEO, owner, and manager of ATAX New York, LLC, also doing business as ATAX New York-Marble Hill, ATAX Marble Hill, ATAX Marble Hill NY, and ATAX Corporation (together, “ATAX”). ATAX was a high-volume tax preparation company located in the Bronx, which prepared an estimated 90,000 federal income tax returns for its customers.”
If it is the same person, why hasn’t a single national business news report said so? This would be the biggest news in small business tax industry of the year. If not, and it is a bizarre coincidence, then why hasn’t the other company made a statement?
I have handled tax resolution matters for former ATAX clients through TaxProblems.CPA services in the past and wonder if this news will trigger any new inquiries.