‘Ghost Preparer’ Shut Down for Tax Fraud, Must Disgorge $9,000

A Miami tax professional’s work as a “ghost preparer” claiming fraudulent deductions and credits on his customers’ tax returns should permanently bar him from practicing, a federal magistrate judge recommended.

Aniel Saint-Hilaire repeatedly violated IRC Section 6695 by preparing but not signing client tax returns that underreported what they owed in taxes, Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida said Wednesday.

Although the government requested that Saint-Hilaire disgorge $1.8 million for “ill-gotten gains,” Torres said the disgorgement remedy instead should amount to about $9,000.

“The Government’s request does not have to ...