Another Long-Time Tax Preparer Receives 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Tax Fraud

     PHOENIX– On Feb. 25, 2019, Oscar Hernandez, 58, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $121,548 in restitution to the United States. 

     Hernandez worked as a tax preparer in Phoenix for nearly 25 years.  In 2004, he opened his own tax preparation business called R Robin Tax Services.  Hernandez admitted he filed at least 44 fraudulent tax returns between 2010 and 2013, which caused a loss to the United States of $121,548.  Hernandez admitted that he falsified returns for his clients by improperly claiming Head of Household filing status, adding false dependents, and claiming false exemptions and credits, all of which had the effect of fraudulently reducing the amount of taxes his clients owed and increasing the amount of their tax refunds.    

     Last week, Elias Bermudez, another long-time Phoenix tax preparer, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $131,651 in restitution to the United States for preparing false tax returns.       

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by Jillian Besancon and Bridget Minder, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:                 CR-18-00416-PHX-DJH

RELEASE NUMBER:           2019-020_Hernandez

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