Richard Louis, Tax Return Preparer Scheme, Florida 2024

A Miami tax return preparer has been caught in a massive scheme to defraud the IRS, with a court ordering him to pay $390,000 in ill-gotten gains. Richard Louis, who marketed himself as Taxman, was barred from preparing federal income tax returns and working for any tax preparation business.

According to a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Louis and seven independent contractors prepared thousands of tax returns for customers over the past ten years, claiming false or fabricated deductions and credits. The scheme allegedly included fabricated residential energy credits, false and exaggerated itemized deductions and fictitious and inflated business expenses.

The court issued a permanent injunction against Louis, which bars him from preparing federal income tax returns, working for or having any ownership stake in any tax preparation business, assisting others (including family members) prepare tax returns or set up business as a preparer, and transferring or assigning customer lists to any other person or entity.

The complaint alleged that Louis and the seven independent contractors, including Harold Bornelous, Romeo Davis, Teddy Davis, Joseph Garrett, Demetrius Knowles, Daniel Oku, and Marlyne Wah, prepared returns for customers that claimed various false or fabricated deductions and credits.

The court also ordered Louis to disgorge $390,000 in ill-gotten gains he received from his return preparation business. Louis agreed to both the injunction and ordered disgorgement.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement, warning taxpayers to remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers.

The Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers in the past decade. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

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