In July 2026, in the Eastern District of California, Maricella Salinas pled guilty to aiding or advising false income tax returns. As part of the plea, Salinas agreed to pay full restitution to the IRS in the amount of $95,459.

Salinas was employed with the IRS Wage and Investment Division. She aided taxpayers in the preparation of at least 20 fraudulent Form 1040s, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. These forms included falsified information such as business losses, business expenses, the filing status of couples, and childcare credits.

Salinas caused an overpayment in returns to taxpayers in the amount of $95,459.

At sentencing, Salinas could receive a maximum sentence of 3 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 1 year of supervised release.