A North Texas tax preparer who pleaded guilty to one count of preparing or presenting a fraudulent tax return has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.
Federal prosecutors said Monday that Rudy Contreras also has been ordered to pay more than $75,000 to the Internal Revenue Service. The amount equals taxes lost because of the fake returns.
Prosecutors say Contreras operated two tax businesses in Garland and used tax identification numbers in his wife's name and a brother's name even though they didn't work in the places and didn't prepare tax returns.
IRS investigators found Contreras used false forms and false expenses in 24 tax returns for 17 clients over three years starting in 2010.
Contreras pleaded guilty last November. He reports to prison in June.
