Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Weddell, LLP

Review: This is an accounting firm who we have used for our 2012 tax return. We completed a full individual return x2 for Federal, NY state and NJ state return as I work in NJ but my husband and I are NY residents. The cost for this was $450.I then brought my 2011 tax return to the same firm for amendment. I was never provided with fee for service pricing and so assumed the same costs applied to re-do a NJ state and NY state ( no federal) return for amendment. Once our amendment was complete for only the state filings I received a bill with no breakdown for $1675. With a courtesy discount applied of $875. Leaving me an $800 bill.I then asked for a breakdown of the billing as this is so far off from my prior year return which included State x2 and federal taxes.There are charges for phone conversations with me, charges for a consultation with the senior accountant who I did not ask see but the junior associate requested be present. I am already a client why a consultation fee? Then they charge me for correspondence (sending documentation) of my 2012 NJ return as they will not accept electronic filing for out of state residents (Mind you I've already paid for my 2012 return at a fee of $450.)If it is $450 for an entire years return which takes time to prepare as well as many phone calls and meetings why the additional charges for an amendment of only state returns. I should have been provided with an upfront estimate of costs if things were changed to hourly rates for this transaction. Fees/ additional charges were never discussed.Desired Settlement: I would like to pay the same $450 fee or for our amended taxes since it included only the state and no federal return amendment.I suggest a change in practice for future clients including an estimate up front so they will not be completely shocked by an $800 billFurthermore charging a current client a consultation is simply bad practice if it is at the request of the firm without notification of the additional charges.

Business

Response:

Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Weddell is a Certified Public Accounting Firm located in Newburgh. NY. We provide all aspects of tax and accounting work and are committed to delivering outstanding customer service.

In January 2013 the client approached the Firm and asked that we complete their 2012 federal and state tax return. This was completed and the client was invoiced $450 as a fixed fee.

In June 2013, the client approached us stating that they had received a notice from the State of NJ and asked us to resolve the issues associated with their 2011 NJ tax form and file amendments, as needed.

The 2011 return had complex issues which required many hours of work by various Vanacore team members who had the expertise to address the particular issues involved. Briefly, the 2011 return(s) had been completed by the client using TurboTax and they (the client) had inadvertently submitted the returns several times which resulted In approximately $4,000 of liability. The Firm worked with the applicable state agencies to resolve the issues. Not only was the Firm able to completely reduce the liability we were also able to obtain a refund for the client of approximately $1,200. Resolving liability issues is a much more complex process than filing a standard return, thus, the higher fee. The Firm significantly discounted the amount charged to the client as a professional courtesy. A detailed invoice was provided to the client.

While we respect this client's complaint, the amount billed to the client was more than fair for the amount of work that it took to resolve the issue and not only eliminate the liability but also gain a significant refund for the client. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with the client and encourage them to contact the accounting professional tht t they were working with to arrange for an appointment.