A Florida City tax preparer has been sidelined from the business for good after federal investigators accused him of inflating deductions and quietly keeping slices of his clients' refunds. U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra entered a permanent injunction on Feb. 18, 2025, barring Dieuseul Jean-Louis from preparing federal income tax returns and ordering him to disgorge $245,275. Customers of his DJL Multi-Services shop were allegedly given one version of their returns while a different version went to the IRS, which investigators say let him pocket the difference.
Federal case and allegations
According to the Justice Department, the government’s complaint says Jean-Louis prepared returns that claimed made-up charitable and mortgage interest deductions, padded business expenses, and falsely claimed credits including the Fuel Tax Credit and the American Opportunity Credit. Prosecutors also allege he manipulated customers' incomes and filing statuses to pump up refunds tied to the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Federal prosecutors say Jean-Louis agreed to the permanent injunction and to the $245,275 in disgorgement, effectively ending his career as a paid tax preparer.
Local fallout
As reported by Local10, the order covers Jean-Louis's Florida City operation and bars him from working for or owning any tax-preparation business at all. The station noted that the judge's order was entered on Feb. 18 and that the complaint alleges Jean-Louis "furnished to his customers copies of returns that were different from the returns filed with the IRS," allowing him to "retain the additional amount for himself." Local10 reported that the government traced roughly $245,275 in ill-gotten preparation fees to DJL Multi-Services.
What the order requires
The permanent injunction does not just ban Jean-Louis from doing taxes. It also strips him of the tools of the trade. The court revoked any Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) and Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) tied to his business and ordered him to close any tax-preparation stores within 30 days.
Jean-Louis must notify his clients in both English and Haitian Creole about the injunction, hand over customer lists to the government, preserve relevant documents, and file sworn statements showing he is following the court's instructions. The order further subjects him to post-judgment discovery and possible contempt sanctions if he does not pay the $245,275 in disgorgement. See the Justice Department copy of the court's order for the full terms.
How to protect yourself
Anyone who used DJL Multi-Services or any other preparer may want to double-check their paperwork. Compare the copy of the return you were given with any IRS notices or transcripts and look for red flags like a preparer who refuses to sign the return, directs your refund to their own bank account, or promises an unusually large refund without reviewing your records.
The IRS publishes tips on spotting scams and offers guidance on choosing a reputable preparer, including what questions to ask and what documentation to keep when you file.
Legal implications
The case against Jean-Louis was brought under statutes that allow federal courts to shut down tax preparers who repeatedly engage in fraudulent or abusive conduct, including 26 U.S.C. sections 7402(a), 7407 and 7408. Those laws let judges issue injunctions, revoke filing credentials, and order remedies such as disgorgement, all with the goal of protecting taxpayers and the integrity of the tax system.
For one of the key provisions cited in the complaint, see 26 U.S.C. § 7407.
Part of a broader crackdown
Prosecutors and the IRS have been chasing similar schemes across South Florida and beyond, using civil injunctions and criminal charges to go after dishonest preparers. Recent cases have led to court-ordered closures of tax shops and prison sentences for operators of larger fraud operations.
The Jean-Louis injunction lands in the middle of a filing-season enforcement push aimed at curbing refund-skimming and bogus deductions. For context on regional enforcement, see recent coverage of a South Florida tax preparer takedown and industry reporting in Accounting Today.
