A Colleton county tax preparer was arrested by South Carolina Department of Revenue investigators today on charges of willful advisement and preparation of false income tax returns.

Devarn Mary Simmons, 47, is charged with 12 counts of willful advisement and preparation of false income tax returns.  She is being held at the Colleton County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Simmons is accused of knowingly overstated charitable deductions on tax returns she prepared. This act generated more than $10,800 of additional tax refunds for her clients

She is facing up to 60 years in prison and fines of up to $6,000 if convicted of all the charges.

Colleton county deputies assisted in Simmons’ arrest.

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