TACOMA, Wash. — Keith Altamirano, a high-volume tax preparer operating under the name “Servicios Latinos,” has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to sixteen counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns. The 52-year-old Vancouver resident faced charges for preparing at least 12,000 tax returns between 2017 and 2021, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller.
Altamirano’s scheme cost the U.S. Treasury more than $5 million through false entries on customer tax returns, including fake medical expenses, charitable donations, and exaggerated business deductions. He concealed his fraud by using “White Out” to omit his name from clients’ filed returns, ensuring they remained unaware of his actions.
“Altamirano’s fraudulent activities not only bilked millions from the U.S. Treasury but also encouraged a culture of deceit within his client base,” said Miller. Altamirano is scheduled for sentencing before Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo on December 19, 2025.
The plea agreement and indictment detail how Altamirano used “White Out” to alter clients’ tax returns, listing fake cars for depreciation and inflating business expenses. Prosecutors agreed that Altamirano will pay $104,518 in restitution to the IRS as part of his plea deal.
In a separate development, Altamirano was also charged with attempted second degree murder and drug charges in Clark County Superior Court. He has been sentenced to 135 months in state prison, which will run concurrently with his federal sentence.
The investigation into Altamirano’s tax fraud was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the case is being prosecuted by Amanda McDowell. Altamirano faces up to three years in prison and a $100,000 fine for each count of aiding and assisting with filing a false or fraudulent tax return.
RELATED: Vancouver Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to $5M Fraud
Related Federal Cases
- Macon Tax Preparer Willie Grant Sentenced For ID Theft & Fraud · Washington
- Tax Preparer Kyle Baxter Gets Two Years for Fraudulent Refunds · Washington
- Tax Fraud Kingpin Colaco Sentenced to Nine Years · Washington
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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