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

     PHOENIX– Last week, Elias Bermudez, 68, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $131,651 in restitution to the United States.

     Bermudez worked as a tax preparer in Arizona for over 20 years and owned a tax preparation and immigration services business called The Help Center (aka El Centro de Ayuda), which prepared approximately 3,000 to 4,000 income tax returns each year between 2007-2010.  Bermudez admitted to filing fraudulent tax returns by including the Additional Child Tax Credit when he knew the credit didn’t apply.  His fraudulent tax filings caused a loss to the United States of $131,651.

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

CASE NUMBER:                  CR-17-01301-PHX-DJH

RELEASE NUMBER:           2019-016_Bermudez

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