...

Man Filed False Tax Returns

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]An Illinois man was indicted for allegedly preparing and filing false tax returns for approximately 20 clients for tax years 2015 and 2016 and diverting approximately $106,033 in false federal refund claims to his personal use without his clients’ knowledge.

According to court records, Jason Hines, 47, of Riverton, Illinois, allegedly gave some clients a “preview” copy of their return with lower refunds and then prepared and filed higher refund claims.

To claim the higher refunds, Hines allegedly falsely reported losses associated with the sale of business vehicles, false business income and expense amounts, and falsely claimed education credits. Hines then diverted a significant amount of the refund to bank accounts he controlled and used the funds for himself.

If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison for filing a false tax return and up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud.[/vc_column_text][us_image image=”1338″][/vc_column][/vc_row]