Albany, NY - July 30, 2014 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the results of an initial crackdown on tax preparers, a service which over seven million New Yorkers use, with the suspension of 40 tax preparers who failed to file their own personal income tax returns for 2011 and 2012. Once suspended, preparers cannot legally complete or file a client’s state tax returns for compensation.

“These new rules were put into place to protect taxpayers and ensure those entrusted to prepare tax returns abide by real professional standards,” Governor Cuomo said. “By disqualifying those who fail to live up to their responsibilities, we are strengthening the system and ensuring that the millions of New Yorkers who use a tax preparation service receive what they paid for.”

New York is only one of four states in the nation that regulates the tax preparer industry in an effort to reduce errors and omissions on tax returns, reduce fraud, and increase the level of competence and ethics among preparers. Governor Cuomo announced new regulations in March to identify and stop fraud and scams with new, comprehensive rules covering the 40,000 tax preparers throughout the state.

Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox said, “It’s this simple: if you don’t file your own taxes, you shouldn’t be allowed to file returns for other New Yorkers. Without our new regulations, we would have no recourse against these preparers or others who are plainly unqualified.”

Under the new regulations, most paid tax preparers are required for the first time to pass a State competency examination, take annual continuing education, be at least 18 years of age and have a high school or equivalency diploma. The Tax Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility holds the authority to discipline a tax return preparer who fails to comply with his or her own federal, state or local tax obligations in a timely fashion.

The Tax Department also recently issued 56 suspension letters. Of these, 16 preparers who received the disciplinary notices filed a formal protest challenging the action, which is allowed under regulations, and these appeals are currently under review.

File a complaint
If you are aware of any tax preparers who have engaged in illegal or improper conduct, please contact our office at 518-530-HELP or file a complaint online.

List of Suspended Tax Preparers

New York City
Bronx Alonso, Victor                          Ausfresser, Jeffrey                 Blades, Jarrod                         Guillermo, Jose                       Maduro, Julia                          Moore, Leval                           Olivencia, Charlos                 Valedez, Lynn                         Williams, Monique
Brooklyn Charoo Mathews, Yvette        Henryhaynes, Joyce              Preston, Calvin
Manhattan Bivins, Raymond                    Calderon, Henry                     Taveras, Juan                         Terrero, Jose
Queens Bazelais, Lorraine Chicca, Louis Cuadrado, Raymond Davis, Therese Diaz, Clara Huben Greenburg, Joanne  Moran, Johnny Sanabria, Maria Ventimiglia, Salvatore  Whittaker, Marie	College Point Rego Park Ridgewood Jamaica Richmond Hill Belle Harbor Corona Jamaica Bayside Far Rockaway
Broome County
Edwards, Ida	Johnson City
Erie County
Fulton, Patricia	Clarence
Madison County
Scavone, Phillip	Canastota
Monroe County
Devuyst, Susan	Rochester
Nassau County
Walsh, David	Lynbrook
Oneida County
Dagostino, Joseph	Vernon
Roberts, Susan	Whitesboro
Orange County
Santoro, Sean	Montgomery
Putnam County
Hernandez, Alberto	Cold Spring
Suffolk County
Bono, Jose	Bay Shore
Marciante, Vincent	West Babylon
Westchester County
Digiroloamo, Lena	Yonkers
Roquel, Ivonne	Yonkers
Waldron, Brian	Peekskill