Key Points

  1. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has ordered Aniel Saint-Hilaire to permanently shut down his tax preparation business.
  2. Saint-Hilaire filed fake tax returns and underreported taxpayer liabilities, including by claiming fictitious deductions.
  3. He has been ordered to pay $571,739.47 in ill-gotten gains to the United States.

How a Miami Tax Preparer's Scheme Was Exposed

Aniel Saint-Hilaire, a Miami tax return preparer, has been ordered to permanently shut down his tax preparation business. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida found that Saint-Hilaire filed fake tax returns and underreported taxpayer liabilities, including by claiming fictitious deductions.

The court determined that 59% of the returns Saint-Hilaire prepared claimed these fictitious items. As a result, he has been ordered to pay $571,739.47 in ill-gotten gains to the United States.

At a Glance

Main CompanyAniel Saint-Hilaire Tax Preparation
Defunct tax preparation business
Main ExecutiveAniel Saint-Hilaire
Former tax return preparer
OrganizationU.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Issued permanent injunction
RegulatorInternal Revenue Service (IRS)
Investigated and prosecuted tax scheme
LocationMiami, Florida
Where tax preparation business operated

Behind the Injunction: What It Means for Taxpayers

Behind the Injunction: What It Means for Taxpayers

The permanent injunction against Saint-Hilaire bars him from acting as a return preparer, preparing tax returns, or advising others in the preparation of tax returns.

Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should 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.

Protecting Yourself from Unscrupulous Tax Preparers

Protecting Yourself from Unscrupulous Tax Preparers

  • Choose a reputable tax return preparer.
  • Verify the preparer's credentials and licenses.
  • Be cautious of preparers who promise unrealistic refunds or deductions.