Santa Barbara Tax Products Group [SBTPG] review: tax refund 65

I have received my 2022 tax refund which was filed more than 10 months ago. The IRS processed and funded my refund and somehow my bank returned it. Over the course of 10 months I’ve filed Form 3911 with two different IRS agents. Completed Indemnity Bond forms for TPG with notary. TPG took 6 months to return the funds to the IRS and gave me a Green DOT yet the IRS still hasn’t received any funds from them what so ever. The IRS has submitted the case to BFS for an investigation. At years end “2022” TPG website no longer shows my refund on the site. TPG stated they’ve mailed a refund check which was never received. Website stated funds were direct deposited which my account shows it was rejected and sent back to TPG. Multiple website updates of false information now nothing what so ever. No to mention the hours of waiting on hold to speak to some incompetent agent with no answers.

Do not use santa barbara tax products or turbo tax. These people will keep your money. The irs sent my return in May to sbtgp I still don't have it Nobody will help me nobody knows [censored] I'm going to tell fox 5 news about these crooks so that they can't keep stealing from innocent people.

Stop saying u resolved it that's a lie

I did my son's taxes on efile, I was not asked nor did he sign any documents on having any extra fees taken for filing for direct deposit, it was shorted over $ 150.00 how do we get this back?

Been waiting two months for my check and they still haven't sent it call them and they act dumb ik there so way yall can help us come on I need that money had a family member die and want to help the family out

It took them 12 years to resolve this !?

We will NEVER use TURBO TAX ever again. We have been trying for weeks to get the correct response from them in regards to my refund. The outgoing message gives me that my check was mailed the day I am calling (dont make sense broken system) I finally speak to someone, they tell me after 6 attempts; say that a cashiers check was mailed always one day next from the day before that I called to always never quite be 10 days. Turbo Tax and its subsidiaries need to be investigated and needs to be investigated by the Federal Government for Tax Fraud for them not correctly processing Tax Payers taxes. There is a SERIOUS problem with SBTPG! To this day we still have not received our refund. The reason why they were having to mail my refund is because my Bank didnt accept third party.

I'm a tax professional one of my clients refund was sent to Santa Barbara Bank by mistake and every number I called its a recording this is ridiculous I would not advise anyone to use their services

Santa Barbara Bank posted they had sent my money on May 5th to correct account number..it was written where I could verify it. they said 1-2 business days. Day #4 no money. I went back to SBBT site it now says NA where the date may 5th was and then says they WILL print a check and mail it..WHY>? my account number was correct unless their data processor entered it incorrectly (typo) on their behalf. IDK anymore. How long does it take to print check and send it? SBBT never contacted me to tell me jack ### about even having my $. They never asked me for ID or SS card!

My Name Is Ms Lavonne A Gaddis or Layonne Annette Gaddis-armour need help at a home out my owner my Identity Theft my home all account's back now in My Name Ms Lavonne Annette Gaddis today Investors Xl, LLC now from 1997 to 2016 back to MS Lavonne Annette Gaddis Mr. Brandon Leon Armour and Mr. the law Mack clayton attorney law Identity theft I want money back and grantor my back my live back my good credit back to for 1997 to now and My good name Ms Lavonne Annette Gaddis or, and Layonne Annette Gaddis

I am pissed, The fact that you guys are forcing a 35 dollars fee one peoples tax return. You bunch of greedy bas***d. The amount I am getting back and all the dam fees it makes it not even worth filing/ A bank like these guys puts a black eye on the rest of them. These type of people who run this bank needs to be run out off the country.. THIEVES!

Well i usually don't do reviews but I had to this time. Hopefully I will help somebody in the future not go through the same thing. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! They are thieves. The hold our money and build interest. I used turbotax this year because I thought it would be more convenient. Next time i'm not going to be lazy and pay my fees upfront. My refund was sent to this institution by the irs. They have yet to claim that they have my money. I know it's 2016. It shouldn't take this long to electronically deposit. I have seen a number of review shaming this company. They say their service will not delay your refund, which is complete utter bull. It's past my refund date and I have yet to see my money with no explanation. They are false advertising. This shouldn't be legal.

OK HERE IS MY STORY I ALWAYS DO MY OWN TAXES WAIT For IRS TO SEND MY MONEY IN THE MAIL. No problem. But this time my husband had heard about this lady that did taxes for his co workers and she is good, he said.and this is how it works.You go to her place, And you give ids, ss, etc.. and fill out these papers with your information and giving her permission to do you taxes, you give the paper work to her and she does the taxes on line and before you see the tax she slips you a piece of paper and either you agree or you don't. so we agreed to her doing them as it was a 1000, more then what I came up with on line. that we would get back after her fees had been taken out. So she asked about diect deposit I said mail us a check. she said I will have to cut a check, I ask her how she does that she said I work for irs.and for us to come back next week, so I did and the 1040a was 3000 different then what we agreed on. so I asked her about this and she stated the software.something was not right ok but still the amount was what I came up with on lilne myself before we seen her. ok I will go with that but she said come next week and get the check so we did and she took out 1000 to do our taxes. that is just bs. so we asked her about this and she said it like 4 different fees and I see this santa Barbara tax prduct is part of this, as I did not sign for this company to take this kinda money out of my return, so now I have to call them and the irs I want my money, and top of this our names were forged by the person that did our taxes

I have been waiting for my return since February 3 the funds were deposited 2/3/16 in their account of some sort. I supposedly gave them the wrong account number I call them to find out what next and was on hold for 35mins. (Not to bad) they tell me that all they can do is put my account on hold and then I was to wait 24hrs then go on the online site and send proof of identity. So I did after that I called to see if it was accepted. I was on hold for over two hrs only to be hung up on. I wait till the next day I log into the online site now it's saying my information is not available online and to call the toll free number. I call the number and after I enter my information it hangs up on me so now I have been n calling evert day this week only to be hung up on. What the @$!#

I am just beginning the process of confusion. I got email telling me "In order to finalize your request for this payment option, we need to send the following information to:
Sunrise Banks
And
Santa Barbara Tax Products Group

Does anyone know why that is...it put a hold on my process. Please email me if you do understand.
Zubeksandralee1975@gmail.com

I used sbtpg through turbotax my tax return was sent to their bank in sept 23 2014 they say there was something that they didnt see right so they decided to denie it and return it to irs here a year later irs still clames that they never received it back after several attempts to contact them and getting nowhere with very rude employees im lost here as in what to do next its ben a year and sbtpg still has my money

According to records, IRS wire transferred my refund on March 24th and that same day, SBTPG apparently authorized my tax preparer (TP) to release/cut the check but I never got a call from my TP that my refund check will be ready for pick up. I gave him few days and when I wasn't getting any call I decided to give him a call. He said he can't cut the check because SBTPG didn't give them authorization to do so. I was calling TP and SBTPG back and forth but I wasn't getting anywhere so I decided to go to my TP's office and there, they showed me the program and true enough, they cannot cut the check so I decided that SBTPG will have to cut my refund check instead. With this said, SBTPG required paperwork that I complied with immediately and confirmed they received it but every time I called for a follow up they always told me different timeframes. Calls were transferred to supervisors who are beyond rude. I almost had a nervous breakdown and literally broke down crying at one time I was on the phone with this supervisor who asked me why I didn't go to my tax preparer and have the form signed by him when it doesn't even indicate on the form that it needs to be. He even told/asked me sarcastically if my TP's office is far from my house why is that so hard to go there to have it signed? So I told him why I didn't do that? Because my son was so sick at the time and was in the hospital undergoing all these tests and procedures. I didn't have to explain but I was so mad that I have to tell him that. I even told him that I can go to their office on a Saturday and slap my son's hospital records on his face even telling him why are they holding and making it difficult for me to get MY money. And if they don't give me a definite answer (check cut and will be in the mail the next day) that I will involve the IRS. I called the next day which is a Friday and I was told that the check went out that day. I received it Monday 4/13 WHICH THEY HAD THE FUNDS SINCE 3/24. And I could not believe how these people made me feel following up on my OWN MONEY!

Second Followup:
Call in today to get the tracking number, speak with Roxine, I'm happy to at least hear that notes from yesterday were entered and that they are in the process of sending me a check... but then I get - however that check hasn't been processed at this time... could I call back again around dinner time?
No... Not really... I've been calling you people nearly every day since the 11th after I was already told on the 1st that my check was already in the mail. Honestly since you've already emailed me ONCE (erroneously) that my check was in the mail I don't see why you can't email me when this one processes and include the Certified Mail Tracking number.

So she escalates me up to Sabrina, who checks with her supervisor and says "no they can't email me" even through they emailed me before... she lets slip that it could happen any time in the next two days. NEXT TWO DAYS... Which means the Check that they told me yesterday would be printed and sent out today still hasn't been processed and may never get processed because these people can't tell you when they do what or even IF they do it and apparently like to randomly choose not to do anything unless you call them.

Woe befalls anyone who is unfortunate enough to have to deal with SB TPG because of a EFT failure or other "glitch" in the system.

Hi there boys and girls... ME again.
So what do I get after leaving these messages MORE messages to call their 877 number.
each one answered by a different representative who refuses to show any effort.

So I finally get on the phone today and risk going over my lunch hour (total call length 49 minutes counting hold times)
First Rep I talk to looks at the notes when I say "where's my check" and says "oh I show it as validated on 02/12"
Uh huh, do you see in there any other notes "nope"
So I go off, indicating how I not only talked with reps twice over the phone but how I went through all the paperwork, received acknowledgement of the paperwork AND a call back asking for my wife's ID. - but apparently no one who did any of that took down any notes. Nor about my now 15 individual attempts to get information via online form and 15 series of replies which pretty much asked me for redundant information followed with "you need to call our 877 number"

So... needless to say the rep kicked me up a level... then I got to the next level they were still "looking for my documentation" and found it but were apparently waiting on a call from me?!?!? Why? They called me and asked for more documentation then promptly sent me an email saying my check was in the mail... but guess what A CHECK WAS NEVER CUT. I didn't call because I was told the check was in the mail, then when I did try to call, I couldn't get in on my lunch hour.

So... yeah, now (supposedly) a check is being cut and mailed to me. I asked for Tracking... "well we normally don't do that"
"Lady, I have 0 faith in your organization right now... you've already kept me waiting for the better part of two months now. "
Ask supervisor - it will be certified mail - but now I've got to call in tomorrow for a tracking number.

Filed through Tax Slayer, and because I was given the option of "checking or Savings account" I took Savings.
Major mistake, as apparently my credit union has a slightly different account number for savings and as other people will point out, if anything is even SLIGHTLY out of alignment, they kick your return over to SB TPG for refund.

But wait, there's more!

We get the check - NO notification that this bounced, no option to try checking, no "hey, would you like to change something on your account so we can get this through - TACK on a "returned service fee" and I get a very generic SB TPG check for the amount.
Of course this requires special authentication via website or phone, which seemed easy enough - but the teller at my CU couldn't get it to work... after much hand wringing we had a supervisor try it and fail too. They recommend we get it cashed at WALMART?!?

Walmart very quickly says "problem" and to call their 800 number as there is a "credit issue"
(no credit issue, SB TPG only allows one authorization, after the botched attempt the check was DEAD)

SO... at this point I called on feb 20th and find out I have to fill out the form, send in the check, send in copies of my IDs (DL and SSL) as a paranoia, I send a copy of the taxes too, faxed to an email fax service the CSR told me to - despite my asking they COULD NOT re-attempt EFT. All they can do is issue another check. - get all this in via mail and I'm called on 2/27 that they need my WIFE's DL and SSL since she's on the taxes (forget that the SLL is already in the tax forms I gave them)

Ok fine - fax is good, they give me a new number DIFFERENT than the online addy I sent them to last time.

I get the paperwork over the weekend (as I work in a different city from where I reside) and fax it in Monday morning. Get Fax receipt.

Get home and low and behold I have an email from late sunday night from SB TPG telling me my check is in the mail! Please wait 5 to 7 business days. Ok... so Monday - Friday, should be there the next tuesday (10th) at the latest.

Tuesday - no check. ok, I'll give them 1 more day to be officially "late"
Wednesday - no check - ok call... spend my lunch hour on hold, no human. Send form.
Thursday - No check - ok call again, spend my lunch hour on hold, no human. Send form again.
Friday - No check - 3rd call - third lunch hour spent on hold. Get form response, wants @#$# number from logging into their page. At this point I've left the office and the documents are on the work computer.
Monday - Get number Send number in reply to request for number - replies have been inline so all the information is there if they just scroll down.

Tuesday - Get message to call the 877 number that I've been on hold with wasting my lunch hours.
AT this point I'm going off. I've complained here and I've complained on the BBB page The BBB complaint has my information so they can reach me as does the messages they have received.

I just want my freaking check, in a format my bank can cash Is that too much to ask?!?!?

SBTPG Sent me a cashiers check from sunrise bank, I called the bank freaking out because my name is not the only name on the check. Identity theft yet SBTPG wants me to go and file and do all the work when they should check into it . They are the ones that filed a fraudulent joint tax return under my ss. They are responsible ! Now I have to go through all turmoil to get to the bottom of it.

Well this is my first year filing with turbo tax and basically I had an terrible experience with this sbtpg bank first of all someone changes the bank and routing number on my account so my money wasn't deposit into my account it was sent back and they said they was gone issue out a check and I should receive it in 3 to 5 days still no check what is going on...I will never use them again

A class action lawsuit needs to be filed against TurboTax and Santa Barbara Tax Products Group. I spoke with both companies 2 days ago, April 22, 2014. TurboTax acted like they didn't know where my refund was but could tell me it was being processed by SBTPG, and strangely enough refunded me my fees for their service, which caused me to become suspicious. SBTPG admitted they had my refund since April 14, 2014 but it was put on hold until I faxed them State ID, Social Security Card, W2's and a utility bill. I originally filed on Feb. 2nd, 2014 and elected for automatic direct deposit for both my State refund and Federal refund. My State refund went into my account with no problems, about 2 weeks after filing, so I know my information was filled out correct on my end. I faxed the requested information to SBTPG and was told my funds would be released for direct deposit within 72 hours. I asked why my funds were put on hold and why I was not notified that they were on hold ... the answer I was given; because it showed that you had other IRS funds being deposited into your bank account and they didn't contact me because they have to many other funds on hold as well and it is impossible to contact everyone. Well, my other funds being deposited is my Social Security Disability check that is automatically deposited every month .. SOOO, I know for sure that SBTPG has my correct bank account information. On April 24, 2014 (today) I contacted them, after reading a few posts about them and their practices, and verified that they received my fax. They gentleman I spoke with acknowledged that he did receive my fax and said that my funds were released on April 22, 2014. I asked when I should expect to see it in my checking account .. his answer, and it was not surprising, let us say it all together >>> your deposit was rejected by your bank so we had to send a check to you, you should see it in 2 to 7 business days

how long did it take to get your check did yall get them yet if so how many days it tiok to get it after it said it was mailed

Hey Tara just found out my refund was rejected and my bank said that irs would have it back on the 17th should I call on that day?

NorCalCourtney, I am having the same EXACT problem! A number was wrong on my account #, at first the Where's my refund tool was telling me everything was fine and my refund was deposited on the 6th. Well today rolls around (2/11/14) and nothing. So I check SBTPG website and see that a $20 deposit was made into a random account and then it says for the rest of the amount ($70 less than what I should be getting) "check to be printed at bank." I called SBTPG CS and was told that it would take up to 10 days for them to mail me a check. But where is that $20 going?! I will never use turbotax again.

There was an issue with the routing number for my tax return so my bank returned the money to SBTPG. I called them on the 6th and they told me to fax a change of account form along with my and husband's ID, SS card and a voided check. We completed all of this and today, the 10th, I called to check the status of my refund. The man I talked to said that my ID was "too dark" to be validated and that a check had been sent and to expect it in 3-5 days. (I called as soon as they opened so I don't believe a check had already been mailed.) Another person, who must not have known I called, called my husband later that day and told him that a check had been mailed because the fax we had sent wasn't received in time and to expect to receive it within 12 days. Two different stories, 2 different expected receive dates. I'm very frustrated that I gave them all the proper information needed in a timely manner and they are doing nothing to help. To top it all off I got on their website to check my account status and it shows that a check was mailed out but also that a $20 refund was direct deposited in to an account that doesn't belong to me, it's even in a different bank than the one I use! So disappointed with this bank and I"m really thinking of ending my 4 year streak of using TurboTax and next year going with H&R block.

The moral of these stories is DO NOT use Turbo Tax. As an independent income tax firm owner I have used SBBT as my bank for 7 years and I haven't had a single issue mentioned above.

I filed 2012 taxes with turbo tax as I have for years. I get a check from University Bank aka Santa Barbara Tax Products Group. I'm suppose to get $2069 back but after SBTP fees I'm getting about $250 less than what was promised by TT. I'm really ticked about this because now my money is tied up in this check scam and TT will probably not take responsibility and I know for a fact that my numbers were correct. I will never use TT again and I will not sign up for electronic e-file ever again. Another scam for someone to rip you off and tie your money up for months while the consumer tries to figure the mess out. Dana

to everyone that think they are having issues with Santa Barbara Tax Product Group, First of all you should not be using turbo tax thats a big red flag to the bank you dont realize all the fraud that goes along with turbo tax... if you went thru a tax preparer like me that is signed up with SBBT then you wouldnt have problems... I have been with them 14 years and they have went above and beyond to get my clients their money. If you are having issues its because risk dept. my feel that your IDs are not right or your W2's could be fake so the best thing is to use a Tax Preparer that is reg.. with them... One time I found out there were dozens of refunds going to the same address. You dont realize all the fraud. and someone could be using your info... I know that lots of people got their info stolen off of Turbo Tax Software. Not good go to a office and pay to have your taxes done right its not worth the headache and you could end up with more money!

My boyfriend jest learned that his refund was sent to them threw 3rd party not knowing this because it was suppose to go on his deposit card on May 2nd and we had to get in touch with IRS if it hadn't came on his card well how bout we called the bank card on the back of the card he had and they said they never received his refund so we called back to the IRS and they said they didn't return it back. when all we needed was a change of address done he did that to and the IRS finally tells us we didn't have to do it because we had already sent his info they said they had already posted his refund on his card but when we called them they said they didn't have it again to call IRS again so we did and the women at the IRS said she would trace it down for us and she did and it went back to them which is First Federal mirage bank of California but name is California bank or Santa Barbra tax group . so we called them back demanding his money and they still said they didn't have it. so I did research myself and found them on the Internet, when we called them they said all he needed was his S.S, I.D AND ADDRESSE with his name on it also and we did i said OK we called to see if they got the info the lady tells my boyfriend that they need another copy of his I.D and S.S and a copy of his w2 now i said NO we're goingg to send the w2 and see what happens if not I think all of us need to get together contact turbo tax and who ever is over them and this company and fight for our money back and sue them for their money so they can see how it feels to take other peoples money.

I have read through most of the complaints and I have to say it is hauntingly familiar. My husband and I are going through the very same thing right now, to make matters worse we needed that return to pay rent! Well thanks to TPG my husband myself and our child are now homeless! We faxed all the documents liked they asked and they said his SS card was tampered with.. HAHA very funny it was still attached to the paper they send it in the mail attached to. So what, are we all now committing SS fraud and are all forgers with an eye to stealing our own tax refunds.. I want to know how these people have gotten away with this for so long? Don't they have to follow the same laws as you and I? If not how do I get a job with them so I too can do as I please!

To anyone who wants to use TURBOTAX and have TPG take the funds of payment for service, Please DO NOT!
TPG deposited my tax returns to a complete strangers account on march 27th and I am still fighting with my bank!
The problem is, it is not treated as fraud and cannot be retracted easily. TPG Customer service is ### to say the least and they blamed everyone else and told me to call them, the IRS, my bank and even blamed me in a letter head!

How the hell would I know someone else account number?
I think the state should investigate this group!

According to the IRS refund link my refund was deposited on April 4th, so I call Santa Barbara Tax products Group, LLC April 6th and all they can say is that they haven't received it. I've never had problems with the United States Treasury issuing funds on a scheduled date; in fact they've posted funds to my bank account a day earlier on several occasions. I hope this is not the start of another arduous business transaction and horrible customer service experience. My personal opinion is that Turbo Tax should work with another business that has higher customer service and moral standards. SBTPG is hurting Turbo Tax business.