ComplaintsforTax Defense Network ™

• Initial Complaint

  06/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I am hoping this action will assist in recovering my full refund from the Tax Defense Network Company. I originally set up a payment plan with the State to settle my back taxes for $130 a month. I received calls from a representative of the Tax Defense Network who left messages regarding their ability to reduce my monthly payments with the State and in some cases eliminate the balance due altogether. I thought I would give them a try so I called and explained my situation and was told I was a good candidate and they definitely can help. I paid the fee in full either $2900 or $4,000. I have to check my documents to know for sure. However, I was contacted by ***** who was pleasant to work with. She told me they will work with the State Representative and negotiate a lower payment. I sent her all the documents she requested. For several months ***** would call monthly and informed me each time that they are still working with the State and will keep me posted. Several months passed and I recently received a letter from ***** stating that my case is now in collections and theres nothing they can do about it. The letter states that my minimum payment with the collections company is now $300 a month. Very shocking news and unacceptable. I was contacted by a ****************** and I followed up with him stating that since they were not able to resolve my case as promised and am now in a worse situation, I am demanding full refund to hire another firm who can assist me. I have not heard back from anyone. I have sent messages to ***** and she said she have forwarded my messages to her Manager. I have not heard from anyone. Im excited to see that they have responded to complaints so Im hoping this will result in a resolution of my case.

  

  Business response

  06/14/2024

  We had the opportunity to discuss this matter with the client previously, but have contacted them to ensure they have the information needed about their case closure and the associated processes. 
  
  This client utilized a third-party lender for service payments, meaning their funds do not reside with our company. Their closure request was processed by their lender on 05/17/2024. The client has been refunded the principal payments made during their loan duration. We received a voicemail confirmation from the client on 06/07/2024 reiterating as much. 
  
  If they have additional questions they may contact their loan lender directly for further assistance. 

  Customer response

  06/18/2024

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

  Better Business Bureau:

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 

  Regards,

  *****************************

   

• Initial Complaint

  06/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Tax Defense took ****** payment to help us with our tax but its been almost 3 years now and they have never done anything. I would like to get my money back. A name ***********************, ***** and **** was the employee that was dealing with us but now dont answer the phone.

  

  Business response

  06/14/2024

  We are disappointed in our client's dissatisfaction with service and have made immediate attempts to address their concerns about this matter. Their representative, *****, has communicated with them via text and has an appointment scheduled to discuss their services (to date), on 06/17/2024. 
  
  Should they experience any servicing concerns in the future, they are welcome to contact our *********** Team at ************** for further assistance. 

• Initial Complaint

  06/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  May 2021 I started my program with tax defense network/money solver. The plan was to do my taxes for 2021 reconcile with the *** for 2019 taxes. After two months I paid my services in full bit ad of today June 3, 2024 I am still fighting with them to complete my program. I've contacted a manager and today I contacted another manager and I'm waiting for the call back. I don't know what else to do. The *** is sending me collection notices, this would not be the case had services been provided already. Please let me know what I can do or if there's anything you can help me with.

  

  Business response

  06/07/2024

  Our management team has had the opportunity to speak with our client on 06/04/2024. We sincerely apologize for the delay in communication and discussed the client's concerns regarding their services. Their case is moving forward with a more appropriate communication expectation and urgency regarding the severity of their tax matters. 
  
  We hope to turn their experience around and improve their experience as we move forward. Should they have any remaining questions or concerns, they now have the direct contact information of a management team member. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/06/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We paid $5k for assistance resolving our irs issues. We had some old returns filed then they went silent until I stopped payment in the monthly credit card charge. THEN they contacted me 3 ways within hours. They said I had to pay another $4500 to get the amount negotiated. The agent working with us agreed to a monthly amount 3x what we agreeD to without asking, has failed to keep his promises to follow up with simple information requests for weeks now and our debt is bigger than when we started, they have not reduced our debt by a *****.but they charge $450/month to my card like clockwork. Buyer beware - they have no easy way to contact anyone about complaints and they pass you around from one person to another. I want our file of all work done so far and a refund on our second (partly paid) contract immediately as we now need to hire a legitimate tax attorney to undo the mess they have created.

  

  Business response

  05/15/2024

  Our team has made multiple attempts to reach this client via phone and email but has not received a response. Sadly, we cannot provide their requested outcome of continuing their services until we have had an opportunity to speak with them. 
  
  We ask that they contact our *********** Team, when they're best available, at ************** so we may discuss their services and move forward with their resolution. 

  Customer response

  05/16/2024

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

   Complaint: 21670953

  I am rejecting this response because:

  They did reach me and we did speak.

  The individual who was supposedly handling our taxes evidently left the company and nobody bothered to pick up his cases.  We have wasted almost a year and several thousand dollars split between two contracts and not only has our burden not been reduced,  their agent promised an amount 3x what we can pay without our consent due starting tomorrow AND the  IRS just filed a Tax lien and we are at trisk of having everything we own and our paychecks siezed because of the negligence and incompetence of this firm.  I do NOT accept their "Gee sorry".  I don't know if they can help us now and the funds I could have spent on a real expert were wasted on the Tax Defense Network.

  I want an official, written explanation of what happened, what the current status from THEIR action is and an acknowledgment that it was the negligence of thier agent  that mad our IRS problem worse, not better.

  Regards,

  ***************************

  

  Business response

  05/24/2024

  Regarding the contact about this matter, yes, a team member spoke with our clients after our previous response was submitted, which we are happy occurred. 
  
  Our *********** Team is eager to address our client's servicing concerns but has encountered an obstacle impacting our ability to move forward. The client has submitted a financial dispute with their banking institution while this process is ongoing, which hinders our accounting department's ability to progress with their desired resolution. We are currently awaiting the conclusion of this dispute before resuming conversations about this matter. 
  
  We will be in touch as soon as this dispute is closed so we can proceed. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I Feel Scammed Out Of My Money! I saw advertisements everywhere I looked, on ********* on the News app, when playing games. They all said the same thing; how they can help you find tax relief for your past *** debt. I wasn't looking to get out of what I owed to the **** I was seeking help getting out of all the interest and penalties that accumulated. How I got into my situation:My husband and I divorced. We still owned a motel business together. He blocked me out of the business dealings and the most of the sale process. He withheld my 50% of the sale until I had to hire a lawyer to retrieve it. He withheld doing the last of the 2021 business *** taxes. This in turn prevented me from completing my 2021 personnal taxes. Each time I inquired with our accounting firm, I was told he filed for covid extention, he filed for storm extentions, we are waiting for him to provide us with information, etc. Always excuses. I tried contacting my x/business partner. He would not take my calls or contact me back. When he did, it was nasty and unfriendly. I never in my wildest dreams thought I was incurring penalties and interest charges for 2+ years. He died 06/2023 without ever completing the tax information our accounts required. The 2021 taxes were finally completed and instead of owing $17k, I owed $24k because of the penalties and interest. Tax Defense Network Scam Begins:I contacted Tax Defense Network after seeing advertisement after advertisement about how they can help. I called them, spoke with first person telling them my dilemma. He said, yes you are a candidate for tax relief, let me transfer you to *************************. I tell **************** my story and he immediately tells me, we can help you. He went over the fee with me and i had to pay $4800 and can use their 6 month payment plan. With all the hope I received from Tax Defense Network I fell for their tactics. I set up my payment schedule with Tax Defense Network. I let **************** know I had already set up a $350 a month payment plan with the *** because as each day passed I was being charged penalty fees and interest charges. **************** said to me not to pay the *** anything. I asked if I should stop payment. He said again, not to pay the *** anything. So I let him know I will stop the auto payment process I made with the ******************* said that I would be contacted by *************************. After two weeks ****************** asked me about my saving account. I told him what I had in my saving and small CD accounts. He said that I would have to pay the *** what I owe them since I had enough money in my accounts combined to pay them. I told ******************** would be left with not enough money to survive after I pay the **** I am on Social Security disabilty and can no longer work to supplement my monthly disability. ****************** said, as long as I have money in my account to pay the *** I would be expected to pay them. He told me better to pay in full because I will still be charged penalties and interest charges until the balance is paid. I asked him why was I not told this before by *************** before I was locked into paying for Tax Defense Networks help? ****************** said that **************** is a sales person and knows not of of taxes. ******* told me to contact ****** and see if I could cancel their services. I did so immediately. ****** told me to email a letter to him about what happened and how Tax Defense Network was not able to help me. I wrote my letter and emailed it. I was only relieved of my next 5 payments. Tax Defense Network kept my first $800 payment for doing nothing but give me hope and costing me money with the **** ****** telling me not to pay the *** anything and me canceling my agreement to pay the *** monthly cost me a large penalty and I lost another $1,000 because the *** punished me again.I was lead to believe that ****************** was part of the *** directly. He is nothing but a mere third party or POA. He is filed with the *** as an attorney. Meanwhile I gave him POA to access my Social Security Account. I feel like all these advertisements about *** Freshstart, Tax Relief Help, Tax Defense Network are all giving false hope. If you owe the *** back taxes they will want their money. If you have any saving at all, the *** will want the money that you owe them. These so called Tax relief programs may only work if you are destitute and no money in to account for at all. I do not know exactly who they are able to actually help and not put further into debt, as they did to **** contacted the ************************* for Volusia County via email. I was notified back by the ************************* and told that Tax Defense Network was contacted and should call me to resolve my issue. I have not been contacted about this issue. Tax Defense Network still has my money and cost me more problems with the ****

  

  Business response

  05/13/2024

  To address one of the most important aspects of this feedback, the licensed tax professional our client worked with is an employee of Tax Defense Network. At no point does our team allude to our representatives being IRS employees, as that would be contradictory to the services provided by our company. 
  
  The referenced account was not discussed in detail during their initial consultation. Having this additional information once our tax professional was able to review their circumstances certainly changed their resolution plan and journey. We understand this was upsetting for them, but our team provided this information as the most accurate and efficient way of handling their tax matters based on their tax information as it became available to us. 
  
  We have contacted this person about their initial payment for services since 05/06/2024 and are working with them to address this matter. 

  Customer response

  05/18/2024

  The Tax Defense Network agreed to reimburse me my initial payment of $792 as long as I signed their non disclosure, which I did. I should be receiving a check made out to me, ***********************, within the next week. 

  Thank you for your assistance.

  Customer response

  05/20/2024

  Today, May 20, 2024 I received my reimbursement check from Tax Defense Network in the amount of $792. 

  I can not express to you my thankfulness for tour help in this situation. I have learned a valuable ****** on the importance of the BBB.

   

• Initial Complaint

  04/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I needed help with a balance from the **** then i called the tax defense network for help with a ****** dollar balance owed to the **** The date of this transaction is March of the year of 2023. The amount I paid is ***** dollars. For a year the Tax Defense Network has not resolved to decrease the amount owed to the **** Within the year period I have spoken to the Tax Defense Network and they decided that i should get a refund. It has been an issue with receiving my refund.

  

  Business response

  05/05/2024

  This person is a former client of our company who chose to discontinue their services in April. Our team worked with this person for quite some time but did not receive the needed documents or communication to move their services forward. As a result, the lack of movement in their services led them to request cancellation. 
  During their time with us, a third-party lender was utilized for payment and is now responsible for the client's receipt of their refund. The request was submitted by our company some time ago, but we cannot expedite the process as the funds are not with our accounting department. We have discussed this matter with our client in great detail, but if they have remaining concerns, they may contact our *********** Team at **************. 

• Initial Complaint

  04/23/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I contacted this company to get resolution with my federal and state back taxes. I was advised that I need to be charged each month for $650. I was then contact by another representative that requested to have information faxed to them. This process was handled and sent to them. There has not been any contact regarding the status of my claim. But, I have been charged each month. Last week, I was advised by one of the manager that someone would contact me. And, to this day, I have not received one call. Today, was my breaking point, I called 5 times to cancel and request a refund since apparently no one at this company cares about the customer, just the money. The 5 calls that were placed today, I was disconnected. And, the 5th call, no one ever came to the phone. Based on this fact, I do not want to do business with you. I want my complete refund back.

  

  Business response

  05/05/2024

  Due to the seriousness of our client's concerns, our management team has attempted to speak with the client to discuss their concerns further. They scheduled an appointment with a member of our management team, but sadly, we could not reach them at the scheduled time. We will continue with our goal of discussing this matter with them and determining what we can do to remedy their service experience. 

• Initial Complaint

  04/23/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired this firm tax release network. I got the names of ****,******, and ******. I paid them $550 to deal with The **** I didnt owe them anything at all. They sent me a stimulus check on the amount of $1,200.00 I never used that money. So when I did my taxes, 2021. They asked for that money. And I returned it, on top of that they asked me for $3,000.00 that I paid. After I received a letter asking me for $1,400.00 more. Thats the reason I hired the tax released network. They told me, not to worry, if I got a letter from ***, not to worry, so I didnt. After I tried to contact them (tax release) several times. Not successfully . Since I paid with the credit card, ********* they located them, I was asking for my money back. So finally ****** contacted me. They got the copy of the check I sent to the **** Permission to contact Turbo Tax and the check was issued by ***** Fargo. To the **** Therefore they told me they will contact me. Again I had to investigate again their phone numbers. Every time I left a message, they called me a week after. As I called they kept telling me, No they didnt have any file on my name. I contact the *** to see if I needed to get an extension to file for the year 2022, since to my knowledge I didnt owe anything they just told me to file on 2023 and finally ****, and ****** called. But again I return the call an sent messages but got no answer. I was to get some return money, but *** took it and I learn I owe them. I need this company to give me my money back. Or fix the debt with the ****

  

  Business response

  04/30/2024

  Our team has reviewed this matter and determined that the client may be confused about their services. Our team was only contracted to provide years of federal and state tax preparations, not a resolution for this client's tax concerns. Based on our review, there was an issue with a previously filed return that caused the tax debt the client is referencing. 
  
  We have reached out to discuss this matter, but have not received a response. This person may contact our *********** Team at ************** to receive answers to their concerns and direction on how to best resolve their issue. 

• Initial Complaint

  04/10/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been making payments for the last 4 and a half years to the *** and always make make payments on time. I always have to call *** ask what my balance is and sometimes dont get a response. My representative of the company no longer works there and I have made several calls but nobody can direct me in the right direction or give me who is representing me now. I am now getting calls from other companies and they say this should have been taken care of along time ago especially with the new tax relief programs. I have left messages for them to call me back but have yet to receive any call backs.

  

  Business response

  04/18/2024

  Our team has had the opportunity to review this matter internally and assist this client with their concerns. While we worked with this client in the past and completed their services in 2021, they continued to receive assistance from a former associate of our company. Being unable to reach this individual and still believing them to be associated with us, they felt our team was ignoring their contact requests. 
  
  We have, since receiving their feedback, connected with them and assisted them with their inquiry. 

• Initial Complaint

  04/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The company too money from my payments. Have never done anything to get the process started. 5 times now someone was to get back to me and they always choose to not reply of start working on my case.

  

  Business response

  04/18/2024

  We are glad this client reached out to us to express their concerns. Based on our records, their case was closed in February 2024 due to a lack of necessary documentation. They've recently contacted our team to provide this information and move forward with their services. We want to apologize for any delay in communicating with this client in their attempts to reactivate their services, as we understand this was very frustrating for them. 
  Our team spoke with our client on 04/09/2024 and discussed the documents needed to move forward. As of 04/18, we have not received a response but will continue to contact them to resolve this matter. 

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩