Tax Preparer Admits Preparing False Federal Income Tax Returns for Others

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty in federal court on charges of aiding or assisting in the preparation or filing of false federal income tax returns, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Daniel K. Hamilton of Arnold, PA, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was informed that between 2010 and 2016, Hamilton, a tax preparer for Cititax Refund Co. in Pittsburgh, prepared federal income tax returns for other persons that included false Schedule C information, and which requested more than $2 million in false Earned Income Tax Credit refunds for the taxpayer.

Judge Fischer scheduled the sentencing for October 2, 2019 at 9 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of three years imprisonment for each count, a fine of $100,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation that lead to the prosecution of Daniel K. Hamilton.