Miami “Taxman” barred from preparing tax returns in federal court ruling

FLORIDA — A federal court has permanently barred a Miami tax return preparer from preparing federal income tax returns and ordered him to pay back $390,000 in profits.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida issued a permanent injunction against Richard Louis, preventing him from preparing tax returns, owning a tax preparation business, assisting others in preparing tax returns or transferring customer lists.

Mr Louis, known as “Taxman,” agreed to the injunction and the disgorgement order.

In June, the court also issued two-year injunctions against seven independent contractors who worked with Louis, barring them from preparing tax returns for others. These contractors—Harold Bornelous, Romeo Davis, Teddy Davis, Joseph Garrett, Demetrius Knowles, Daniel Oku, and Marlyne Wah—can apply for reinstatement after two years if they successfully complete the IRS’ Annual Filing Season Program.

The complaint alleged that Mr Louis and his associates filed returns with false or inflated deductions and credits, including fabricated residential energy credits, exaggerated itemized deductions, and fictitious business expenses. Over the past decade, the tax preparer and the seven contractors reportedly prepared thousands of fraudulent tax returns.