Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  10/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I paid and employed this company for my personal taxes with a 3-4 year history of back-taxes. This company advertises to help with this problem. I have had to reach out to the company, no reports from them, several times and this process has taken over 6 months now. I got told recently that they are busy with their regular tax customers and to check back in 3 weeks! Im a customer that paid $1400 for this service and have received nothing. Please help BBB!

  

  Business response

  10/13/2024

  Hello - when we received this BBB complaint, staff immediately contacted client and finished the project with them. Client is satisfied with our rapid response. They have indicated they will withdraw or consider the complaint resolved. Jay, WATAX 

  Customer response

  10/14/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 22415991, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I appreciate the BBB's involvement because that is seemingly the only thing the company cares about -- getting the complaint removed -- but I got my taxes done so all is fixed.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Lauren Wimsey

• Initial Complaint

  09/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am writing to file a formal complaint against Washington Tax Services. In March of 2021, I hired Washington Tax to help me with some back tax issues. *************************** of Washington Tax sent me an email with the following:1 Post POAs with IRS and State.2 Stop collections.3 Print all reported income.4 Send you a tax prep organizer for write offs.5 Prepare 2015-2020 IRS and State tax returns.6 After all filed we will prepare a financials statement on you.7 Determine the best route to take with BOTH IRS and State 8 Draw up the Best Case Resolution paperwork for both IRS and State.Flat Fee for all of this is only. $6750 I sent them $6750 and also gave them the power of attorney and uploaded the requested documentation. They wanted all the money before they would start working on my file. This was a red flag for me. I kept calling and asking for a receipt and they never sent one. I kept getting bills delinquent notices from the **** When I got a tax notice, I would call and email the notice to them. In 2022 in revoke the power of attorney and asked for a refund. They offered to refund $2050 and in a recent request they are only offering to refund **** out of $6750.Despite their assurances and my substantial financial investment, Washington Tax Services failed to resolve the tax issues that I hired them for. This has not only caused me significant stress but also financial hardships. I have attempted to communicate with Washington Tax Services regarding my dissatisfaction and my request for a refund, but my efforts have been met with run arounds. Therefore, I am formally requesting your assistance in mediating this matter and advocating for a refund of the $6,750 I paid to Washington Tax Services. I believe that I am *********** this refund based on the failure of their services to meet the promised outcomes. Washington Tax Services take advantage of individuals who are in desperate situations. This unscrupulous behavior adds an extra level of stress.

  

  Business response

  09/19/2023

  *e're sorry for Mr. *** experience.  But in the same vein, our staff did work on this case and made every effort to complete his case. How can we compromise on a refund amount if he doesn't acknowledge that we spent time on his case? Nonetheless - first we'll explain the case history: 

  On April 1 2021, Mr. * hired WATAX.  ***** of ********* were posted on his behalf and *** monitoring ensued. *** research was done, transcripts ordered and three licensed tax professionals were tasked to the case. Staff contacted client to onboard the case to prepare unfiled returns. Balances due were ascertained from *** and a strategy to resolve the case was put in place.

  On April 9, 2021, Mr. * was provided with research results and was asked to supply information so we could make a financial statement for *** representation.

  May and June 2021 staff followed with client to get our needed info.  Soon the *** sent correspondence pursuing *** debt. Also in summer, tax preparation onboarders followed with client again to get items. New ***** of ********* were required for the case and in late summer of 2021 they were acquired and re-submitted.

  In August 2021, one of the lead tax professionals reached out to Mr. * directly to explain *** collections concerns also with another request to get us info for tax prep onboarders. *ith new ***** of *********, we researched clients record again to determine where he stood in collections.

  In Sept. 2021, client did comply with our request for some information and we were able to compile a financial statement for him to deal with *** collections. However, we were unable to get him to get what our tax prep onboarders needed to complete the unfiled returns. In late Sept 2021, onboarders re-sent the client a request for info.

  In Oct. 2021, onboarders reached out to him again to no avail.

  In Nov. 2021, clients Social Security was levied or there were threats to levy. Onboarders again reached out to Mr. * for info.

  In Dec. 2021, in spite of what seemed an increasing lack of communication from client, we contacted the *** and worked to get his case into Currently Not Collectible. *e contacted client with some strategies to keep the case out of collections. No response.

  In October 2022, client contacted us asking for a full refund of his $6750 fee. *e counter offered with $2050.00 refund.  Staff spent time on case, there was an opportunity cost by representing this client, and staff spent significant time on the case. Client was not forthcoming with information in spite of multiple follow-ups

  In September 2023, client reached out again for a full refund of fees.  *e counteroffered with a $1000 refund. Our *** ***** of ********* on his case still have not been revoked by the client so it does not seem like a new professional is handling this case. Client should revoke them or we will revoke them at client's request.  Client should also realize there is an opportunity cost to doing these cases. *E have had an active ***** of ******** on file for nearly 30 months.

  Now that a BBB complaint has been lodged, we'll agree to stand by the refund offer of $2050.00 we made last October 2022.  If Mr. * can acknowledge , he can contact us thru BBB with a Venmo/Paypal info and we can ***** the refund. 

  Customer response

  09/28/2023

  Washington tax Services refused to give my full refund. Washington Tax listed a lot of things that they said that they did for me, but I don't have any evidence that they did any of these things. I sent an email revoking the ***** of *************** They are offering to refund $2050 out of the $6750 that I paid them which means that they are keeping $4700. The end result was nothing, no resolution of my tax issues. I still want my full refund.  I was told that BBB would mediate and assist me in getting my money back. I see that you have rated this company as A+. I  pray that you will post this complaint so that others will do their research before choosing this company or any other company. In 2021, I was at a vulnerable situation with the death of my son in law and I had to deal with covid myself.  I am 70 years old and on a fixed income. I need your help in resolving these issues. 

  Customer response

  10/14/2023

  More Information...Business Name: Washington Tax Services
  My Name: ***** *. ********
  Date of Initial Contact with the Business: March 2021
  I must emphasize that I am a 70-year-old senior citizen on a fixed income, and I have had the misfortune of contracting COVID-19 twice. My health and well-being are a significant concern, and dealing with this dispute has added to the stress and uncertainty during these challenging times.
  I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and your commitment to ensuring that businesses listed with the Better Business Bureau uphold ethical and professional standards. I looked at the A+ rating by the BBB before I decided to use Washington Tax Services. I don't know the criterial that you used to get the A+ rating. I am still seeking the assistance of the Better Business Bureau to Mediate this dispute and ensure a fair resolution, taking in consideration my age, health circumstances, and the fact that my tax issues was not resolved.
  I engaged Washington Tax Resolution Services to assist me with resolving tax issues with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Regrettably, my experience with this company has been marked by several concerns:
  1. Unfulfilled Promises: Washington Tax Resolution Services made several promises regarding their ability to reduce my tax liabilities and provide timely, professional service. However, they have failed to meet these commitments.
  2. Lack of Transparency: I have encountered a lack of transparency in their service delivery. They have not adequately explained the progress of my case, making it difficult to understand the status of my tax resolution.
  3. Poor Communication: Communication from Washington Tax Resolution Services has been inconsistent, with delayed responses to my inquiries and requests for updates on my case. I don't have any attachments because they never sent me anything,
  4. Excessive Fees: The fees charged by the company appear to be excessive for the level of service and results achieved. They charged me $6750.00. I believe they have not provided value commensurate with their fees.
  5. Highly Unethical: They list a lot of dates and times of activities that they said that they did for me that did not happen.  They need to provide documentations to prove that they did the things listed in the answer to the dispute. PLEASE POST THIS  so that others can read it.
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired this ******* to help me with some back tax issues I have. On July 27th the ******* sent me an email explaining what they would provide me and the cost. ($5,750.00). They wanted the money paid in full before they would start doing any of the promised work. On August 2nd they were paid in full via an EFT, after which this ************* ******* never sent me a receipt or even an email confirming they had received the money. This was my first red flag. Before I agreed to hire them, I told them I had accounting questions, which they told me they would help with. On August 2nd I sent an email with some of those questions. They responded to most of my questions, but the answers felt as though there was very little effort put into answering them. On September 2nd, I sent another email with a question. I received an email back that expressed that they did not know the answer, which was fine. My problem was the cavalier tone of the email and no suggestion that they would try to find an answer. Strike 2. I responded to that email expressing my frustration. The owner of the ******* immediately called me and wanted to philosophize with me the problem, but still took no initiative to find an answer. 1 email reminder was was sent to me after that and on November 1st, I requested a refund of my money. The day after I requested my money back, they suddenly send me an email listing work they "claimed" had been done. (Consisting of 1 phone call to the ***************** they say they "found" but I had actually provided). In response to my refund request, they told me I had to accept their partial refund "or Small Claims Court?" They told me the most they would refund was $4,375, that they were going to keep $1,375 for "Lost potential" and that the check would be cut and mailed November 4th. On November 29th, after 5 emails they finally responded saying they mailed the check "before thanksgiving" (3 weeks later). I am requesting the balance of my money be refunded

  

  Business response

  12/07/2022

  Hi

  
  First, client recently received and cashed a check for a refund of $4375 of the $5750 fees in late Nov/early Dec. Client hired ** originally in early August 2022.

  
  We agree with the client about the refund delay. There was a two-week delay in issuing his refund.  We usually issue checks 7 to 14 days after agreeing to refund. The accounting dept.logistically had problems issuing the check and eventually it was handwritten and mailed to client around 11/24. Were sorry for that and regret the annoying delay.

  
  AS the delay caused a hardship for client, we agree to issue $250 as an apology payment for the delay. It would be easier to administrate this refund by Venmo or Paypal. If client can provide his details, well administer the refund. (Let us know if we need to send a check again which will send again as needed but promptly).

  
  Beyond the refund error, heres how the case unfolded and why we believe that keeping the remaining fees is fair to our company and to our staff who spent time on his case:
  Staff did spend time on the case, researching his IRS record getting transcripts and full tax history, posting ***** of ******** and creating alerts on his case; accountants consulted and followed up with him for info; administrative staff were involved in onboarding his case, working his case in good faith all of the above are why we kept 24% of the original fees.

  
  When accountant was onboarding case, client indicated that his partnership/LLC created was not 50/50 but rather 1/99 (this is an approximaterecollection from the conversation).  Most partnerships/multi member LLC default as 50/50 unless stated otherwise. To make sure we did the right thing, we asked client to provide the partnership start up paperwork showing the 1/99 split. Client admitted that it wasnt written as such. That the % partnership split was just verbal.

  At that time, client made an interesting query to us: can you go back in time and change a partnership agreement retroactively? We had never been asked this question before.  Our instincts and default legal knowledge were NO. Our initial research, albeit limited research, didnt provide any answers besides NO.   But that isnt an answer he wanted to hear and thats when our working relationship began to deteriorate.

  
  AS we research this topic, today it seems that you can only retroactively change the % ownership to the beginning of the current year.Had we known this answer concisely from the beginning, it is very likely client would NOT have continued with us and likely suspended our work as he seemed to not like the answer.

  
  Nonetheless after we couldnt provide an answer that he was satisfied with, we couldnt get on the same page and the client sought other legal/accounting help.

  
  Beyond that the client has received a substantial refund of most of the fees he paid. Staff were paid to deliver partial services to the client.We think it is fair to keep a portion of the fees for the time we spent on the case.

  
  We regret that this case turned out the way it did. But sometimes, this happens in business. We wish client the best.

*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. ↩