Five Stone Tax Resolution

Dear Mr***,I’m sorry to hear that you’re dissatisfied with the service you received from Five Stone Tax Advisers (formerly Tax Tiger)I reviewed the records pertaining to your case and would like to address the issues you raised in your recent complaint to the Better Business Bureau.In March 2014, you hired Tax Tiger for legal representation regarding an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax debt, with the targeted resolution of an Individual Installment Agreement and Penalty AbatementIn the following months, your assigned case manager and administrators actively exchanged phone calls and emails with you regarding your case, specifically on:· March 13, March 19, March 28, April 3, April 9, April 10, April 15, April 24, May 19, May 21, May 23, August 4, August 6, August 18, September 8, September 24, October 2, October 6, October 14, November 28, December 1, December (2014), January 23, February 6, February 24, and February (2015).Therefore, I feel it is unfair to describe our correspondence as “negligible.” Upon reviewing our communication records, it appears that our associates have been responsive to your requests and have proactively communicated with you throughout the tax-resolution process.In reference to your complaint that Five Stone did not act as a buffer between you and the IRS, I’d like to clarify that our team was contracted to represent your individual liabilities but not your business liabilitiesUpon reviewing the amount your business owed to the IRS, it was communicated that it would be in your best financial interest to pay off yourbusiness liability as opposed to hiring Five Stone to represent your business in addition to your ongoing individual case.Again, I’m disappointed that our services have failed to meet your expectationsOur team has been active in representing your case, and I hope that this information clearly communicates thatIf you have further issues, please feel free to contact us directly.Sincerely, [redacted] Founder & CEO

Complaint: [redacted] I am rejecting this response because:In response to the document from Five Stone Tax AdvisorsBecause they have not resolved my tax issues by accomplishing an Installment Agreement or Penalty Abatement.The majority of the correspondence that they detail are responses to my emails seeking informationthey have rarely initiated contact with me unless it was to sell me additional services.My bookkeeper prepared all of the tax returns: individual and businessFive Stone was paid extra money to review all of the tax returns including businessThree months after me rushing back to town and appearing in their office to sign all tax returns (personal & business) so they could submit them "that day", they contacted me wanting to know when I was going to provide them the tax returns for reviewThey were not even aware that they had already reviewed and submitted the returns three months earlierThey were given a power of attorney to present to IRS to act on my behalf and act as a bufferThey have not accomplished that either, even on the individual tax returnsI still receive all of the threatening letters from IRS and have to forward to them to Five Stone for actionThey have not accomplished what they were contracted to do and I no longer have any faith in their ability to do so.I want a refund of all money so that I may contract another company to resolve my tax issues Regards, [redacted] ***

While we were successful in negotiating an Installment Agreement, as originally hired to do, we are disappointed we were not able to resolve your account with the IRS to your satisfaction. As you noted, we were successful in releasing a wage levy immediately after you became a client and we
also created value in abating penalties for youOften times we are able to settle for pennies on the dollar with the IRS via an Offer in Compromise. However, the Offer in Compromise program is based on a set of rules as determined by the IRS as well as each person's current financial situation. Your finances were reviewed throughout the process and given your facts at the time you were not an Offer in Compromise program candidate. You were however a candidate for the Installment Agreement option and that is what negotiate on your behalf. We believe we have honored the terms of the agreement that you signed on December 30, and worked to achieve the best possible outcome in your particular case. Best regards, Five Stone

Dear Mr. ***, Thank you for your recent replyI appreciate the opportunity to further expand upon the services that Five Stone has provided for your tax-resolution case.You hired Five Stone to legally represent you before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)Throughout each step of the tax-resolution process, our team represented your best interests by performing a Discovery Analysis on your tax situation, developing a case strategy, reviewing your tax returns, filing the required documentation, communicating with the IRS on your behalf, and in turn relaying their information back to you.Since you hired Five Stone in March 2014, our team has aggressively advocated on your behalf in order to get you the best possible outcomeWe have pursued every possible avenue to reach a favorable resolution for your situation, and I hope this information clearly conveys our commitment to serving your best interestIf you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us directly.Sincerely, *** *** ***Founder & CEO

Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:The company still does not act as a buffer between me and IRS.You did not address the issue of your company not even knowing that they had filed my tax returns.When IRS kept my refund, your office told me that the money had been applied toward my installment agreement.Yet an installment agreement still has not been negotiated and interest on my IRS debt continues to compound.I have no confidence in your companies ability to complete the task that they were contracted to do.The woman that you have supposedly negotiating on my behalf is not an EA, CPA or attorneyShe appears to be someone you just hired off of the street to handle my case.I believe that I can do a better job.I want a complete refund
Regards,
*** ***

Thank you for your feedback concerning our legal representation regarding your IRS back tax problems. At Five Stone, we are called to make a positive impact on people’s lives, and we're committed to growth and improvementTherefore, we appreciate any opportunity to hear from our clients
With regards to your case, we cannot guarantee an outcome. This is specifically prohibited by the IRS circular which governs tax representatives and ethics. While we do not guarantee an outcome, we do have a brand promise, which is twofold: 1.To advocate for our clients, aggressively, while producing the best possible outcome2.To provide a superior client experienceRegarding your resolution case, we did produce the best possible outcome. We successfully negotiated your balances of $65,be placed in currently not collectable status with the IRS. This status prevents collection activity and conceivably results in your balances expiring due to the statue of limitations of yearsThis is an amazing outcome given your large balance owed, current financial situation (significant net worth), and fact patternRegarding property tax dispute, we apologize for not doing better, though we see that you inquired 5/24/wanting to ensure we were representing your property tax appeal in the upcoming legal protest. Regarding your refund request, in reviewing your case history, we’ve concluded that: 1. We legally represented you before the IRS for over years, charging you $5,total2. The time spent working your case translates to over $12,in legal fees.3. Therefore, we cannot agree to a refund of any amount

While we truly regret disappointing a client, our position remains the same.    We represented the client for over two years, ultimately producing the best possible outcome, while undercharging the client for the overall time and effort our associates spent working this case.   We wish the client all the best, and apologize if they feel their experience with Five Stone was anything less than exceptional.

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
None of this procedure was ever explained to me, the customer. I feel as I was misled by unethical business practices and hereby demand reimbursement for a failed satisfactory settlement with the IRS. Hopefully this matter can be resolved without involving legal proceedings.  
Regards,
[redacted]

Dear Mr. [redacted],I’m sorry to hear that you’re dissatisfied with the service you received from Five Stone Tax Advisers (formerly Tax Tiger). I reviewed the records pertaining to your case and would like to address the issues you raised in your recent complaint to the Better...

Business Bureau.In March 2014, you hired Tax Tiger for legal representation regarding an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax debt, with the targeted resolution of an Individual Installment Agreement and Penalty Abatement. In the following months, your assigned case manager and administrators actively exchanged phone calls and emails with you regarding your case, specifically on:·       March 13, March 19, March 28, April 3, April 9, April 10, April 15, April 24, May 19, May 21, May 23, August 4, August 6, August 18, September 8, September 24, October 2, October 6, October 14, November 28, December 1, December 3 (2014), January 23, February 6, February 24, and February 26 (2015).Therefore, I feel it is unfair to describe our correspondence as “negligible.” Upon reviewing our communication records, it appears that our associates have been responsive to your requests and have proactively communicated with you throughout the tax-resolution process.In reference to your complaint that Five Stone did not act as a buffer between you and the IRS, I’d like to clarify that our team was contracted to represent your individual liabilities but not your business liabilities. Upon reviewing the amount your business owed to the IRS, it was communicated that it would be in your best financial interest to pay off yourbusiness liability as opposed to hiring Five Stone to represent your business in addition to your ongoing individual case.Again, I’m disappointed that our services have failed to meet your expectations. Our team has been active in representing your case, and I hope that this information clearly communicates that. If you have further issues, please feel free to contact us directly.Sincerely,
[redacted]Founder & CEO

Five Stone is disappointed that you believe the process was not explained adequately.  We document expectations and terms in the "Tax Services Terms and Conditions" for clarification purposes and you acknowledged those terms by signing on December 30, 2013.  Five Stone Associates worked your case diligently in order to secure the Wage Levy release, the Installment Agreement and Penalty Abatement and thus we believe we earned the fees in question and take exception to any and all comments regarding ethics. We provide legal representative and work to provide our clients the best possible outcome in their specific situation.  While the result was not your desired outcome, we believe it is clearly a better and more favorable outcome than before engaging with Five Stone. While these are the relevant facts in the case, we continue to be disappointed that you were not satisfied and welcome an opportunity to speak with you directly if you so choose.  Please ask to speak to the CFO / COO or we can arrange a time for the call.

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:In response to the document from Five Stone Tax Advisors. Because they have not resolved my tax issues by accomplishing an Installment Agreement or Penalty Abatement.The majority of the correspondence that they detail are responses to my emails seeking information. they have rarely initiated contact with me unless it was to sell me additional services.My bookkeeper prepared all of the tax returns: individual and business. Five Stone was paid extra money to review all of the tax returns including business. Three months after me rushing back to town and appearing in their office to sign all tax returns (personal & business) so they could submit them "that day", they contacted me wanting to know when I was going to provide them the tax returns for review. They were not even aware that they had already reviewed and submitted the returns three months earlier. They were given a power of attorney to present to IRS to act on my behalf and act as a buffer. They have not accomplished that either, even on the individual tax returns. I still receive all of the threatening letters from IRS and have to forward to them to Five Stone for action. They have not accomplished what they were contracted to do and I no longer have any faith in their ability to do so.I want a refund of all money so that I may contract another company to resolve my tax issues.
Regards,
[redacted]

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:Five Stone accepted our business, with full knowledge that we carried no mortgage on our home ("significant net worth", as claimed by them in response above).  Our complete financial situation was given to them in writing beforehand, and they took our business anyway. We set up a strategy together, and they told us that they were certain they could help us provide the opportunity for a lump sum settlement to the IRS.  When we came to them with the lump sum payment, Five Stone could then told us they could no longer help us. Five Stone took our case and our regular payments, totaling over $5,000, but did not deliver what they agreed to do for us. We understand nothing can be truly promised, but they acted irresponsibly in taking our case, giving us every assurance they could provide the services. They should have told us up front that if we owed no mortgage on our home that they couldn't help us; instead, they gave us the expectation that they could arrange for the lump sum payment, but indeed they could not.As for the claim of over $12,000 in legal fees, that amount was never mentioned or disclosed, and so should not be considered here.We obviously have not had a positive client experience, as is one of their advertising claims. 
Regards,
[redacted]

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: No Amount of talking is going to fix this problem if it does not include a refund of my fees for a service that was extremely sub standard. I can be reached at 318-794-0560 if you wish to discuss a refund. If not, we can let attorneys discuss it in litigation.  Thank you.
Regards,
[redacted]