Justice Department Asks Federal Court to Shut Down Tax Return Preparers in Southern Florida And Require Them to Give Their Fees to the United States
Government Alleges that Two Brothers Prepare Returns with False Education Credits
Jean-Philippe Boursiquot, B&C Royalty Multi-Services Inc., Roberton Boursiquot, and RBS Flamboyant Solutions Inc. prepare false federal income tax returns for their customers, according to a new civil suit filed by the Department of Justice. The complaint filed in federal court in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, asks a federal judge to bar the Boursiquots and their businesses from preparing tax returns for others. The complaint also requests a court order requiring the Boursiquots and their businesses to disgorge the gross receipts they obtained from the preparation of federal tax returns that made false or fraudulent claims.
According to the complaint, Jean-Phillipe Boursiquot of Margate, Florida, owns and operates B&C Royalty Multi-Services, a tax return preparation business located in Oakland Park, Florida. Roberton Boursiquot of Tamarac, Florida, owns and operates RBS Flamboyant Solutions Inc., a tax return preparation business that is located in Hollywood, Florida.
The complaint alleges that the defendants prepare tax returns for customers that understate liabilities and overstate refunds by falsifying information, fabricating deductions, and claiming bogus credits. The complaint alleges that just one of the defendants’ schemes — bogus federal education credits claimed in 2016 — cost the United States over $470,000 in tax revenue. The complaint further alleges that the defendants tell customers they are due a certain refund amount, file returns on their behalf requesting a larger amount, and keep the excess as preparation fees without the customers’ knowledge or consent.
Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’s Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2017 and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. The IRS has some tips on their website for choosing a return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers.
In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. 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.
