Riverton Tax Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Fraud

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Riverton, Illinois, man, Jason Hines, 50, of the 100 block of East Menard Street, was sentenced on February 1, 2023, to 18 months in federal prison, to be followed by 36 months of supervised release, for fraudulently preparing 34 federal tax returns for 20 clients resulting in a state and federal tax loss of $194,910.00. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the full amount of the loss.

During the sentencing hearing in front of United States District Judge Sue E. Myerscough, the judge considered information including that Hines had willfully prepared fraudulent tax returns often falsifying information pertaining to business property loss amounts and education credits.

A federal grand jury returned a twelve-count indictment against Hines in March 2020, which included ten counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent individual income tax returns and two counts of wire fraud. Hines pleaded guilty to one count of false and fraudulent statements and one count of wire fraud in June 2022. Hines had remained on bond since his initial appearance in May 2020.

The statutory penalties for the most serious count of conviction – wire fraud – were up to 20 years in prison, up to 36 months of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine.  

The case investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations Division and the Illinois Department of Revenue. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Bass represented the government in the prosecution.

For help and assistance in choosing reputable tax professionals for preparing tax returns, or for assistance in preparation of individual tax returns, please visit the official IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/help-resources.