New York tax preparer called ‘the Magician’ charged for tax fraud of $145m

Alvarez was so consistent at falsifying customer’s tax returns that he became known as ‘the Magician’. Photograph: Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images

A New York tax preparer known as “the Magician” has pleaded guilty to filing tens of thousands of false tax returns costing the government $145m in tax loses.

Rafael Alvarez perpetrated and oversaw one of the largest ever tax frauds by a return preparer, according to prosecutors in the southern district of New York.