ComplaintsforAnthem Tax Services

• Initial Complaint

  05/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Signed up for Anthem Tax services on 4/25 was quoted $6200.00 for a tax Debt of $30,000. Everything was very quick in the beginning especially them deducting the funds. After a “case manager” was assigned we spoke and I was told it could take 4-6 months for resolution or to hear from the IRS. I heard from my case manager the following month to fill out paperwork, I still have all the text messages after I filled the paper work I did not hear from her again. Her name was Suzanne Lewis. May 23rd I received a message saying she was out sick, sent the forms and did not receive confirmation until May 31st. Did not received another message until October 20th after I text her October 10th. December 4th I start receiving more mail from the IRS and I reach out now they are apparently “waiting for signatures” Mind you I have not spoke to a Tax Attorney this entire time (8 Months) April 2023 -December 2023. I called to speak to someone in the morning because it was ridiculous at this point. Spoke to Gina who was trying to mitigate the situation as the messages between me and Suzanne had become out of hand even to the point she was disrespectful of me, Suzanne made appointments for me and I said that did not work for me and she said well this mustn’t be important to you after I WAS the one who had asked for an appointment with the “attorney”. They assigned a new “case manager” who has not responded in weeks as well - go figure.At this point I received an intent to Levy from the IRS in which I need to stop on my own and anthem is not getting back to me. Anthem has YET to provide any correspondence from the IRS that they have had on their own. If I was going to do all the work why on earth would I pay a company $6200. Stay as far away as possible. It has been over a year and nothing has been resolved with this company and I am now at risk for wage garnishment and levy of my property.

  

  Business response

  05/20/2024

  We here at Anthem Tax take consumer concerns very seriously.  We will reach out this consumer to address their issues.  

• Initial Complaint

  04/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I called Anthem because I was 7 years behind on my taxes. Anyone knowing this especially a tax company would know or assume there is a late fee or penalty. After I called and told them I was 7 years behind they so quickly told its all good. $3500 and got me on the phone with irs I was told and made a date in like 30 days that I would have all info and file..... this all happened in less than 10 minutes. I was kinda in tears but was told it all good. We got this for you. They did nothing more than my I could have done. I never got a call explaining the bottom line on if I owe or not. I called and was laughed at on the phone 2 times by Anthem. And to this day I still haven't got a clear answer from them. At this I'm looking for another tax forgiveness company that can help. I would recommend Anthem Tax Service to anyone!

  

  Business response

  04/29/2024

  We here at Anthem take consumer concerns very seriously.  In the case with this client, the consumer initially hired Anthem Tax to get caught up on his delinquent tax filings.  The signed agreement confirms this.  The initial fee did not include resolution as consumer believes that it did. As a compromise, Anthem offered to handle resolution at a discounted rate, but consumer declined.  The tax returns are done.  Anthem has performed according to contract.  Anthem simply cannot perform resolution at no additional cost because consumer misunderstood.  

   

• Initial Complaint

  03/25/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I paid this service $30,000.00 in 2020 to resolve back tax debts that accrued in the midst of a catastrophic illness and family deaths. I provided them with all of the information they requested, have repeatedly emphasized my desire to be compliant and address the situation and have been responsive to Anthem’s requests. They led me to believe that my back taxes had been substantially addressed and that upon my providing them with additional information they would make the remaining filings and finish my case. I provided them with that information within three weeks of the request. At the time they said I probably didn’t owe anything more. In February I received a notice of a potential levy, which I advised them of as soon as I got it. I asked them for a plan and attempted to get in touch with them repeatedly. They said they were speaking to the state on my behalf. They did absolutely nothing. They have not responded to any of my emails or messages. They have not negotiated with the state or irs. They just took my money. Now I’m facing levies and holds on my accounts and I am still not hearing from them. This has been a four year process! They said it would take one year. And that if I wasn’t happy that I could be refunded. The thing is, I need them to finish this job. I absolutely want to resolve my taxes and be and become compliant. I have been looking for a fresh start , which they said I would be eligible to receive. However I am right now in the exact same place I’ve been in. This business should be shut down. Their lack of response has made a bad situation much worse for me personally and professionally.

  

  Business response

  03/26/2024

  we have reached out to consumer to address their issue.  We believe we have adequately addressed consumers issue, and we are in the process of resolving consumer's concern.

  Customer response

  04/02/2024

  
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 21476302, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

  Hi this has been resolved favorably and I would like to take down the complaint as they’ve been incredibly helpful and now have my trust. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** ****** *****
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  03/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Anthem tax services charged me money to eliminate my back tax owing to IRS, I was recently sent my outstanding tax debt with the interest. This indicated that the Anthem Tax Services took my money without fulfilling the promise to negotiate to reduce money I owe.

  

  Business response

  03/26/2024

  We have reached out to consumer but have yet to hear back regarding this issue.  Consumer, please reach back out to us so we can address this concern with you. 

• Initial Complaint

  03/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired this firm in July 2023. They charged me $4300.00 to resolve my IRS tax issues. Part of the tax issues involved a chapter 13 bankruptcy and included some payments from me that were not credited to me by the IRS. I explained the issues involved before making payment, and was assured they could resolve my problems. It has become clear that no one in the company has any experience with chapter 13 bankruptcy. Many unreturned text messages and phone calls seems to be there response to anything they are not qualified or not willing to deal with.

  

  Business response

  03/26/2024

  We have reached out to the consumer to discuss the concern.  We believe that we have adequately addressed and are in the process of resolving consumer's issue. 

   

• Initial Complaint

  03/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I signed up with Anthem tax in March of 2022, I was 4 years behind on filing my taxes. Cost me 2000 up front to begin (Tax Prep and Filing) After some time and many emails back and forth for me to find documents from years before they were done and filed. They explained to me that next comes the resolution portion and due to the sizeable amount owed it was determined it would be 6250 for them to represent me with the IRS. During that time they also did my 2022 taxes. After that was done and filed we were then to move on to the Resolution portion where they said that they would work to get the owed money lowered. Then out of the blue I got a call from some one there saying again that its going to be more money (2600) to continue Because my tax liabilty was 88k owed from 2018 to 2022. I said wait a sec I already paid 6250 for this resolution, he then says they wont move forward until its paid. So i did. That day I got an email invite to talk to my resolution specialist. And she will discuss the plan of attack. That call came the next day and I asked whats next and she said they would start the process towards a resolution but first I had to make payment arangments because it will take 3 months to complete. During this whole exprience i was saving money to pay them out right.. no high interest loans needed. So i questioned whats next. She advised me to pay the full amount so I did. Yay my taxes were filed and even payed in full. Then i thought, why the 2600, as they havent even done a resolution yet. I questioned that and after a bit of todo it was refunded. The resolution specialest then said now that its paid we can do an Abatement for the 9000 or so in penalties. It would take 30 days. Well here it is over 30 days later and I have gotten denials for all of the tax years. So for 8250 in total they filed my takes and told me to pay whats owed. I feel cheated because I get the tax prep and file cost but they did pretty much nothing for the 6250. No explaination at all

  

  Business response

  03/26/2024

  We have reached out to consumer but have yet to hear back regarding this issue.  Consumer, please reach back out to us so we can address this concern with you. 

• Initial Complaint

  03/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I paid Anthem tax $3950.00 they got it on 6/7/2023. since then they are sayin they are working on my case. I was paying $405.00 monthly for years and they told me to not pay, now I'm getting delinquent letters fro the IRS. I told them I want my money back because I don't believe them. I've asked for proof several times and got nothling. I don't know what to do. They noe not responding. I woas working with one of their attorney A**** ******* ###-###-####. also a B**** ********* or close to that.

  

  Business response

  03/19/2024

  We have spoken to consumer and informed her we are still waiting on the IRS.  We believe the consumer understands at this point so we are hoping that will settle this inquiry. 

   

   

  Customer response

  03/19/2024

  
  
  Complaint: 21384204
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I don't want to close this complaint just yet.  They have spoken to me about what's been going on, It seems to make sense, but they have given me deadlines before as to how long it would take etc.  All I requested was some kind of proof that they were working with the IRS which they say they are,I haven't any kind of proof,  When I spoke to IRS they had no information regarding Anthem Tax representing me?  Hopefully everything they havesaid to me since this complaint sounds terrific . I would rather wait for the 30 days to be over and see if its true before closing my complaint.  Thnk you guys the BBB for your help.

   

  
  
  Regards,
  
  E**** *****
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  

  Business response

  03/26/2024

  The issue now is we are waiting on the IRS to finalize consumer's case.  However, the BBB only gives the two parties limited time to resolve the issue.  So perhaps consumer can reopen complaint if a satisfactory resolution is not resolved. 

• Initial Complaint

  02/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  PAID ANTHEM $6000 TO NEGOTIATE 7 YEARS OF BACK TAXES. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AND NOW 4 YEARS HAVE DROPPED DUE TO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. LAST 3 YEARS ALSO JUST PASSED THE STATUTE. I AM A SENIOR LIVING IN LOW INCOME HOUSING NOW PAYING 2 CREDIT CARDS FOR THE $6000 THEY REQUESTED UP FRONT THEY KEEP IN CONTACT WITH ME AND ONLY DO SO WHEN I CONTACT THEM. ONLY NOW THEY WON'T RETURN MY CALLS AT ALL OR RESPOND TO EMAILS. THE 3 PEOPLE I HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH ARE SAN MINANDI, ALEX ZAREE AND RECENTLY PART OWNER, J*** *******

  Customer response

  02/15/2024

  I have heard from J*** *******.  His response for bad customer service (copied from his email). He has submitted a statement showing overstated work and charges.  It shows charges ($1250 non refundable retainer) to nearly $3300.  ($990 for duplicate reports ordered a month apart). I have not seen either of these reports.  No contact with IRS, exagerated & non existant phone messages & claimed texts (never received). 

  I had submitted 7 years of tax debt I had hoped they would negotiate penalties and interest.  4 of those debts dropped within months of submission due to statute of limitations.  the remaining 3 will drop in the next few months (April, May & June)  

   

  His response:

  
  
  I run a company with 150 employees, and I have another business that I recently started, and it had a tornado ran through recently due to IT issues…on top of the fact that my wife had a recent melt down due to the stress of having a newborn.  I am sorry that I didn’t communicate back with you sooner…but I am communicating now.
  

  Have you ever heard the saying “you don’t know what someone else is going through”?  For all you know I could be dealing with something traumatic that is none of your business and something I don’t want to share with a client of ours.

  

  Business response

  02/26/2024

  We have asked our complaint handler to reach out to the consumer to see what resolution may be available.  This is a work in progress. 

  Customer response

  02/26/2024

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 21273171, and find that this resolution does NOT mention the partial refund of $4000 he promised
  
  Regards,
  
  S***** ***
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  02/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  ’m writing to complain about the service that was provided by Anthem Tax Service. As best as I can tell, the majority of the people with whom I worked are from Southern California, so I received your contact information by calling your office. I attempted to submit a complaint online, but the system would not permit me to proceed after the initial set of questions. For tax years 2021 and 2022, I have accumulated a substantial tax liability -to the tune of over $70,000.00. I had been hearing ads on both radio and TV (similar to THIS ONE ) where they consistently promise that Anthem can reduce or eliminate your tax liability. I researched Anthem and felt like their rating was high and that they would be worth a try. I worked initially starting in May of 2022 with a woman named C******* ***** (number is 818-646-8989 / [email protected]) from Woodland, CA. After submitting a questionnaire and providing financial information, I was quoted an amount of $6,400 to engage in tax resolution services. I would be partnered with a tax professional who would negotiate with the IRS on my behalf and hopefully reduce my liability. Eventually I was directed to *** Bruns who is a tax lawyer assigned to my case. First, a tax preparer at Anthem filed both my Federal and State tax returns for both 2021 and 2022. However, at this point, C******* informed me that they do not negotiate with the State – only Federal which was a surprise to me. I had to make arrangements on my own to deal with my state liability, including setting up my own payment plan. When I did meet with ***, he was able to keep things moving and eventually help arrange for me to pay monthly installments on the full federal amount for 2021 and 2022 while he supposedly submitted requests to reduce my liability. I could never contact *** directly – I always had to go through assistants to get time with ***. Eventually, I received from Anthem notice of a successful resolution in the mail, however I had never been told that any reduction in my tax liability had been negotiated. I called *** who told me he was still working on it but that the letter was a matter of procedure within Anthem while we waited for more feedback from the IRS. I then received two letters from the IRS – one indicating there would be a delay in my request – a request that I was not specifically familiarized with in writing. The second (most recent letter) was a notification from the IRS that they had denied my request for a reduction is late filing fees. I was unaware that they were simply asking for a reduction in late filing fees, so I tried to inquire about this. C******* texted me that “The IRS does not reduce late filing fees.” So then why did they submit to have those reduced if they knew that? What about the other mechanisms of reduction that *** and I spoke of? And in the denial letter from the IRS, it directs that I need to satisfy the remaining amount for 2021 by mid-February. Why? I’m already enrolled in a payment plan. Has that stopped? I have become very confused. For the past 2 weeks I have been trying to reach someone at Anthem to re-connect me with *** Bruns to try to get an update and alleviate my confusion. Just today, I got a call from C******* who said that my resolution was final and the case was closed. I told her that *** had informed me that I still could meet with him and have more than enough confusion needed to do so. She insisted the case was closed – and to this day the total amount of my reduced tax liability is EXACLY $0.00! C******* said that they attempted resolutions on several levels and that I didn’t qualify. Didn’t qualify – wouldn’t they have known this before I paid and had them try? If my financial situation and the manner in which my tax liability was produced was considered high risk for no reduction, why did they not share this with me initially? Where I left this today is that I demanded that they at least arrange another call with *** Bruns. C******* kept repeating over and over that the resolution was final and she didn’t know what that would accomplish. She finally agreed to have her quality customer service people call me, though thus far I have not heard from them.

  

  Business response

  02/16/2024

  We are currently working with consumer to try to resolve the issue. 

  Customer response

  02/26/2024

  
  Complaint: 21267800
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Please do not close.  I spoke with a representative from Reputation Doctor and he has approached the client to try to resolve.  I was told he would circle back with me.  I will remind him that this issue is NOT resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  **** *******
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  

  Business response

  03/27/2024

  We will continue to try to resolve this issue. 

  Customer response

  04/04/2024

  
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have completed my reconciliation with the business in reference to complaint ID 21267800 and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Regards,
  
  **** *******
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  01/10/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I contacted Anthem Tax Services seeking help with taxes on or about December. They required 3000.00 dollars up front to start. I paid this amount. Anthem did absolutely nothing for me and now they refuse to answer my request for a refund. I’m requesting a full refund.

  

  Business response

  01/18/2024

  We have had our representative try to reach out a few times to consumer, only for him to email back once.  Our intention is to perform on the agreement that we have in place. We would just like a call back

  Customer response

  01/25/2024

  
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 21118484, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

  Anthem return all my funds and I’m very happy with the resolution.
  
  Regards,
  
  Sc*** ******
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

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