Man sentenced to 52 months in prison for falsely filing client’s tax returns

DENVER (KDVR) — A Thornton man was sentenced to more than four years in prison for filing false tax returns on behalf of clients.

On Tuesday United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that 56-year-old Lance McQuiston was sentenced to 52 months after taking a plea agreement and pleading guilty.

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In the summer of 2014, McQuistion pleaded guilty to preparing false tax returns and was sentenced to probation. McCuiston was unable to obtain a taxpayer identification number because of this offense, according to prosecutors.

“However, from approximately April 2018 to April 2022, McCuistion used PTINs in the names of three individuals associated with McCuistion to prepare tax returns on behalf of clients,” the company said. press release reads from the prosecutor’s office.

In those returns, McQuiston claimed items that he knew taxpayers were not entitled to pay in an attempt to increase the recoverable amount or reduce the amount owed, according to the press release.

“Clients trust their tax return preparers to do the right thing,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “We will continue to pursue tax preparers who abuse that trust for personal gain.”

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.

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