Attorney Tax Representation & Estate Planner, PA

Response to ID ***Whether an individual anticipates a refund or owes tax, we recognize that filing income tax returns can be very
stressful. As I explain, I never personally met *** *** who prepared ID 1***. So her assertions are apparently based on what her husband told her and/or her perceptions of what he told her. They are inaccurate. Generally, a client who makes an appointment for the preparation of their tax returns first meets with my assistant. My assistant reviews the tax documents with the client (to make sure they are all accounted for) and to ask any necessary questions that may require additional documentation. Next, she gives me the documentation and I prepare the return while the client waits. Depending on how involved the return may be, the actual preparation including a personal review of the return with the client may take up to an hour or sometimes longerThe ***s’ appointment was on February 25th. During the time I was preparing the return, *** *** had to leave to attend an event or pick up her children. Their return documentation included Forms W-and Form 1099-R (distribution from retirement plans). Because their overall income was relatively high and based on insufficient withholdings, they had a substantial tax liability. When I completed the return, I met with Mr*** (alone as he wife had left) and explained that to him. Whenever a taxpayer owes tax, there are two ways to pay. Either the electronic filing authorizes a direct debit payment to the IRS or the taxpayer can subsequently pay by check or credit card by the due date of the return. A third alternative is to request an installment agreement to pay it over time. I also explained that to Mr***. Contrary to his wife’s assertion, I never asked Mr*** for a check to pay the IRS. I am never directly involved in the payment of any tax liability owing to the IRS. If the payment is by direct debit, the transaction is consummated by the bank of the taxpayers’ choice. If by check, the taxpayers send the check directly to the IRS accompanied by a voucher. Since Mr***’s wife had to leave, I invited him to return with his wife so we could review the return and discuss their payment options (as described above). Mr*** said he would discuss it with his wife and come back at a later date. Subsequently, Mr*** returned alone and said he wanted to take the return somewhere else for a second opinion. I had no problem with thatObviously, I have no idea what *** *** or any other tax preparer actually reviewed. As to Mrs***’s assertions that I insisted on a check to pay the IRS is simply not true. Moreover, I never met her in person to discuss the return and/or the payment options. As I explained above, like any tax preparer, I am never involved in the actual payment to the IRS

Review: Taxes for 2014 were prepared by [redacted] on 2/25/2015. Mr [redacted] informed my husband we owed 11,000 in taxes. This was our first time meeting with this man and at no time did we sit down with him to go over numbers or did he ask any questions. His assistant Shayna Gulda entered all of our information behind a closed door. Upon telling my husband what we owed Mr [redacted] asked for a check for a portion of the funds due to the government in the amount of 3000.00. He stated he would be happy to pay a portion of this for us. We decided to forgo signing the tax forms or paying him any money and took our taxes to someone else for a 2nd opinion. We met w/H&R Block who found that a 4700.00 error had been made in our favor. H&R Block found numbers that were added to the tax forms that did not make sense. The entire situation had us extremely concerned and feel Mr [redacted] and his assistant were out to scam us. I have never heard of any tax preparer asking for a check up front; all monies due to the government are sent directly to the State or Federal government with a payment slip.Desired Settlement: Would like our 90.00 refunded (the amount paid for the taxes he prepared) as I feel he tried to cheat us out of thousands.

Business

Response:

Response to ID [redacted]. Whether an individual anticipates a refund or owes tax, we recognize that filing income tax returns can be very stressful. As I explain, I never personally met [redacted] who prepared ID 1[redacted]. So her assertions are apparently based on what her husband told her and/or her perceptions of what he told her. They are inaccurate. Generally, a client who makes an appointment for the preparation of their tax returns first meets with my assistant. My assistant reviews the tax documents with the client (to make sure they are all accounted for) and to ask any necessary questions that may require additional documentation. Next, she gives me the documentation and I prepare the return while the client waits. Depending on how involved the return may be, the actual preparation including a personal review of the return with the client may take up to an hour or sometimes longer. The [redacted]s’ appointment was on February 25th. During the time I was preparing the return, [redacted] had to leave to attend an event or pick up her children. Their return documentation included 3 Forms W-2 and 2 Form 1099-R (distribution from retirement plans). Because their overall income was relatively high and based on insufficient withholdings, they had a substantial tax liability. When I completed the return, I met with Mr. [redacted] (alone as he wife had left) and explained that to him. Whenever a taxpayer owes tax, there are two ways to pay. Either the electronic filing authorizes a direct debit payment to the IRS or the taxpayer can subsequently pay by check or credit card by the due date of the return. A third alternative is to request an installment agreement to pay it over time. I also explained that to Mr. [redacted]. Contrary to his wife’s assertion, I never asked Mr. [redacted] for a check to pay the IRS. I am never directly involved in the payment of any tax liability owing to the IRS. If the payment is by direct debit, the transaction is consummated by the bank of the taxpayers’ choice. If by check, the taxpayers send the check directly to the IRS accompanied by a voucher. Since Mr. [redacted]’s wife had to leave, I invited him to return with his wife so we could review the return and discuss their payment options (as described above). Mr. [redacted] said he would discuss it with his wife and come back at a later date. Subsequently, Mr. [redacted] returned alone and said he wanted to take the return somewhere else for a second opinion. I had no problem with that. Obviously, I have no idea what [redacted] or any other tax preparer actually reviewed. As to Mrs. [redacted]’s assertions that I insisted on a check to pay the IRS is simply not true. Moreover, I never met her in person to discuss the return and/or the payment options. As I explained above, like any tax preparer, I am never involved in the actual payment to the IRS.