A tax preparer from Vancouver, Washington, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after being convicted of defrauding the U.S. Treasury of more than $5 million. David Altamirano, aged 52, faced charges for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns. This sentence comes in addition to a 135-month concurrent sentence he received for an attempted murder conviction in state court.
Between 2017 and 2021, Altamirano prepared at least 12,000 tax returns, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. A statistical analysis revealed that his fraudulent entries resulted in a significant loss to the U.S. Treasury. Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo emphasized the detrimental impact of tax preparer fraud on the government’s ability to function and highlighted the need for adequate deterrence.
Altamirano’s fraudulent activities included fabricating medical expenses, charitable donations, and even car ownership claims, all aimed at inflating his clients’ tax refunds. Prosecutors indicated that many clients were unaware of these discrepancies, as they relied on Altamirano’s expertise to maximize their deductions legally.
“Altamirano greatly abused this trust,” prosecutors stated. “His clients, lacking tax literacy, believed they were hiring a professional to ensure their taxes were done correctly. Many have since been audited and face potential penalties and back taxes.” The total tax loss attributed to the 16 counts to which Altamirano pleaded guilty amounts to $104,518, and he has agreed to pay this sum in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
In addition to his prison sentence, Judge Estudillo has ordered Altamirano to sell one of his four properties to help cover his restitution obligations.
In a separate case, Altamirano also pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder and drug charges in Clark County Superior Court in September 2025. The attempted murder charge stemmed from an incident in which he intentionally crashed a vehicle into a motorcycle ridden by his son. Despite claiming that his car had been stolen, dashcam footage contradicted his account, leading to his arrest.
Altamirano’s history of criminal behavior and financial misconduct has raised serious concerns among authorities, highlighting the importance of accountability within the tax preparation industry. The U.S. Department of Justice continues to stress the need for vigilance against fraud to protect both taxpayers and the integrity of the tax system.
