Owner of downtown Pittsburgh tax preparation company sentenced to prison for fraud

Tax Consultants Prepare For New Tax Guidelines MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 22: A copy of a IRS 1040 tax form is seen at an H&R Block office on the day President Donald Trump signed the Republican tax cut bill in Washington, DC on December 22, 2017 in Miami, Florida. Kathy Pickering, vice president of regulatory affairs and executive director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block released a statement about the new tax bill saying, " It's going to change the way you think about and plan your income taxes. You'll need to take a fresh look at your individual situation to know your outcome and new strategies to use to get the best tax outcome." (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

By Taylor Spirito

PITTSBURGH — The owner and operator of a downtown Pittsburgh tax preparation company has been sentenced to prison for his conviction of tax fraud.

According to the Department of Justice, Brian A. VanDusen, 52, from Youngstown, Ohio, was sentenced to 30 months in jail and one year of supervised release.

Officials said VanDusen operated a business called “Easy Tax Refund” located in the Warner Center.

Between 2014 and 2018, VanDusen and some employees prepared and transmitted hundreds of fake federal income tax returns. These returns falsified Schedule C profit and loss income from a business, resulting in illegal tax refunds that cost the IRS $994,824.

Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti commended the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of VanDusen, according to a press release.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW