Tax Firm to MEG Accounting Clients: Have Your Tax Returns Reviewed

A Sunset Hills accounting business closed abruptly before this year's tax deadline--because its owner was sentenced to five years in prison for stealing $19,869 from a client.

An Arnold accountant is advising former clients to have their last three years' worth of income tax returns checked.

St. Louis County Police said Mary Beth Gable, acting as a bookkeeper for Hessler’s Pub and Grill in South County, wrote herself five checks totaling $19,869. Gable, owner of MEG Accounting and Tax Services at 10345 Watson Rd., pleaded guilty to the theft charge in February. She was sentenced on March 29.

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Customers were asked to pick up their tax files from Gable's business by April 12.

Liberty Tax Service owner John Brazeal said his business has reviewed tax files from more than a dozen former MEG clients.

"Sadly, every single MEG prepared tax return for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 reviewed by our office has contained errors (some small and some not so small). In most cases, amending the return to correct the errors resulted in additional refunds to the taxpayer," he said on Patch.

"It is now too late to amend 2009 tax returns. But seriously, any MEG client that had a 2010, 2011 or 2012 income tax return prepared by MEG should seek to have their return reviewed by a tax professional."

Brazeal said his offices provide a free accuracy review. (Several other tax offices also offer free reviews.)

"If errors are found, and if it makes sense to amend the return, we can provide that service for a fee," he said.

Brazeal and his wife, Linda, own Liberty Tax offices in Arnold, Lemay and Oakville. During off-season, the Arnold office, 922 Jeffco Blvd., is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.