Burbank tax preparer pleads guilty to falsifying returns

A man faces up to six years in federal prison after pleading guilty Monday to two counts of submitting false tax returns through his Burbank firm.

A federal grand jury indicted Peter Chavez, 44, in 2005 on 19 charges relating to preparing false returns through his Burbank firm, Tax Care 4 Less, which later became known as Tax Care For Less, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He remained a fugitive until his arrest on March 5 in Hemet.

Federal authorities say Chavez claimed false or fraudulent itemized deductions for his clients. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to two counts related to federal income tax returns for 2000 and 2001 that reduced his clients’ tax liabilities by $1,890 and $1,703, respectively, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Chavez faces up to six years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine. He’s scheduled to sentenced Aug. 19.

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