DALLAS (March 5, 2013)—Tax preparer Cora Latrice Hopkins of Garland has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for filing hundreds of tax returns that falsely claimed a homebuyer tax credit for clients.

Federal authorities say Hopkins also must pay $1.7 million in restitution.

She was sentenced Monday after her guilty plea in November to filing a false claim with a federal agency.

Hopkins has been in custody since Internal Revenue Service agents arrested her in August.

Hopkins worked as a manager for Instant Tax Service.

In 2009 she filed 316 returns that claimed a first-time homebuyer tax credit, authorities said.

They say Hopkins either knew her clients were not eligible for the credit or did not submit records indicating eligibility.