PHOENIX, ARIZ. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Arizona), published as received.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – On March 17, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a tax preparer in Peoria, Arizona, with 17 counts of tax evasion.    

Butoyi Mechack, 38, of Peoria, is charged with three counts of Making and Subscribing a False Tax Return and 14 counts of Willfully Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation of False or Fraudulent Tax Returns. 

According to the indictment, from 2019 to 2023, Mechack prepared and assisted in the preparation of numerous false and fraudulent tax returns on behalf of clients of his business, PTPS Tax Services, LLC. In helping prepare these returns, Mechack overstated and misrepresented tax credits, deductions, income, and expenses to fraudulently reduce the taxpayers’ tax liability and claim refund amounts to which they were not entitled. Mechack also filed individual tax returns for himself for tax years 2021, 2022, and 2023, that substantially underreported his income.

Mechack’s arraignment was held on March 26, where he pleaded not guilty to charges and was released on conditions.

A conviction for Making and Subscribing a False Tax Return carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. A conviction for Willfully Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation of False or Fraudulent Tax Returns carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Rapp, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

As we head into the final weeks of tax season, IRS Criminal Investigation wants to remind the public to protect themselves when choosing a tax preparer. Keep these tips in mind:

  • Be wary of tax return preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than others can.
  • Avoid tax return preparers who base their fees on a percentage of the refund or who offer to deposit all or part of your refund into their financial accounts.
  • Ensure you use a preparer with a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Paid tax return preparers must have a PTIN to prepare all or substantially all of a tax return.
  • Use a reputable tax professional who enters his or her PTIN on the tax return, signs the tax return, and provides you a copy of the return (as required).
  • Consider whether the individual or firm will be around for months or years after filing the return to answer questions about the preparation of the tax return.
  • Never sign a blank tax form.
  • Good preparers will ask to see your records and receipts. They’ll also ask questions to determine your total income, tax deductions and credits.
  • Check the preparer’s history. Taxpayers can ask the local Better Business Bureau about the preparer.
  • Check the preparer’s credentials. Only attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents can represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters, including audits, collections, and appeals. Other tax return preparers who participate in the IRS Annual Filing Season Program have limited practice rights to represent taxpayers for audits of returns they prepared and signed. See Annual Filing Season Program for more information.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-26-00247-PHX-KML (JZB)

RELEASE NUMBER:    2026-054_Mechack

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

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