The former owner of Speedy Tax Services LLC in Washington, D.C., and District Heights, Md., was recently sentenced to 21 months in prison for her involvement in a tax fraud scheme. Awett Tedla was found guilty of conspiring to file false tax returns, wire fraud, and tax evasion, according to the Justice Department.

Tedla was accused of preparing and electronically filing fraudulent income tax returns for her clients. These returns reportedly included false information about businesses and tax credits in order to inflate tax refunds. As a result, the IRS suffered a tax loss of over $171,500.

In addition to her clients’ returns, Tedla also allegedly filed a tax return for her own business that underreported gross receipts. This deceptive behavior ultimately led to her conviction on multiple charges related to tax fraud and wire fraud.

These actions demonstrate the serious consequences of engaging in tax fraud and the importance of honesty and accuracy when it comes to filing tax returns. The Justice Department’s efforts to crack down on fraudulent tax schemes send a clear message that individuals who attempt to cheat the system will face severe penalties.