(The Center Square) - A Colorado man received a 52-month prison sentence this week after pleading guilty to preparing false tax returns for his clients.

Lance McCuistion, 56, of Thornton, Colorado, received that sentence, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.

In July 2014, McCuistion pleaded guilty to preparing false tax returns in a previous investigation; he received probation for that crime.

Image

Due to that offense, he was not allowed to get a Preparer Tax Identification Number. Yet, from April 2018 to April 2022, he used PTINs in the names of three other people associated with him to prepare client tax returns.

McCuistion claimed items on these tax returns that he knew the taxpayers were not for to increase their tax returns or to reduce their tax burden.

“This case is an example of the commitment IRS-CI brings to financial investigations involving tax preparers who abuse the system and line their pockets rather than doing what is best for their clients.” Tom Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office, said. “The dishonesty and disregard exhibited by individuals like McCuistion violates the trust clients place in their tax preparers who have a duty to handle clients’ returns accurately and in compliance with the law.”

Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch expressed a similar sentiment.

“Tax preparers are trusted by their clients to do the right thing,” Kirsch said in a statement. “We will continue to prosecute tax preparers who abuse that trust for personal gain.”