Horry County woman arrested for state tax charges

Columbia, SC (August 15, 2012) --- South Carolina Department of Revenue investigators today arrested a Horry County resident on three tax charges.

Shana Qwnisha Ham, of Knickerback Road in Loris, was taken to the J. Reuben Long Detention Facility and charged with one count of assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent tax return, one count of forgery, and one count of conspiracy. If convicted of the charges, Ham, 20, could face up to $5,500 in fines and/or up to 15 years in prison. Ham is currently awaiting a bond hearing.

Ham knowingly provided a fraudulent W2 form to a tax preparer in order to have her 2011 income taxes prepared. Although she did not work for the employer indicated, the W2 form stated that Ham had an earned income of $16,500 and $742 in state wages withheld. As a result, Ham requested a state tax refund of $742 to which she was not entitled.

The investigation revealed that Ham and another individual conspired to commit the offense of willfully assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return as Ham was advised of the tax scam by another individual. Ham was provided the fraudulent W-2 tax form for a fee by the accompanying individual.