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I had invested heavily into boeing right before 9 / 11 (My prayers go out to those lost) . Even though i lost everything i invested and then some i still was sent notification i was being taxed because at one point my shares were a substantial gain to me. After seeing the commercial for american tax relief i called them up to see what they could do for me. I was told through offer in compromise that they could reduce my 90k that i owed the irs to only 3 grand. Fantastic! The two payments of $7, 500 seemed like a steal if they could save me that much money. Steal is right! They wanted all sorts of paper work to aid them in working on my case, and they always seemed to need it within the next day. I did my best to make sure that i sent them everything i could in order to make the process go more smoothly. After 3 months and $15, 000 there was an unauthorized draft from my bank account for $3, 500. I immediately called and asked what this was about. Apparently the irs rejected the offer in compromise they submitted and needed another $3, 500 to "re - open" my case. What?! Do you mind telling me when you are going to draft my account, or at least fail at what you were supposed to do?! I thought it was too late anyway so i told them to go ahead and "re - open" my case after another 3 months re sending all the paperwork that i already sent them another $1, 200 was drafted from my account! What the hell?!?! How can they just take my money! How can this company just keep taking my money without my consent?! They have literally stolen $4, 700 from me! And the $15, 000 they took initially for one didn't get the job done! So after almost $20, 000 they have done absolutely nothing! So i called the irs and they told me that my offer in compromise was denied in november and no other contact has been had since. November! Atr had taken money the cost to "re - open" from me in february! They took my money and did. . . ? All my money went to finance their damn commercials so they could scam more people like me! I finally got this issue resolved when i contacted the accounting firm that my brother uses for his corporate accounting. (I didn't go to them in the first place because i thought they would be to expensive since they do corporate accounting for billion dollar companies) ha they charged me literally a fraction of what american tax relief did. And reduced my debt to only 8k! Not an offer in compromise like american tax relief said, i make to much income to qualify for that (Obviously why the irs denied my oic initially) but they were able to eliminate all of the interest and penalties and had my debt reassessed based on my investment and not on what the potential gaines were. They actually have a department for consumers, not just corporate accounting i guess, [protected] is their number. Talk to dave, he's the guy who helped me. Does anyone know of how i can get my money back from american tax relief? Is there a class action suit i can join. Anything would help. If you are reading this and need tax help do not use american tax relief! They are a complete scam and will steal your money! If you can't do it yourself, check out settlewiththeirs. Info that's the firm i used (That's their site for regular consumers who have tax problems) . I knew american tax relief had a few complaints, but i thought it was a numbers thing, disney land has complaints etc. , but american tax relief doesn't even know how to help you! It seems like they tell everyone that they're entitled to an offer in compromise. Complete lies! On the irs site they even state that over 90% of oic's are denied! Should have listened to my brother in the first place.
Update! So these guys are finally getting their just desserts! The FTC has shut them down! http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/business/07relief.html?_r=1
Thank GOD! I hope they lock these guys up and throw away the key!
BTW if you still want tax help here is Dave's direct line [protected]
HA Check it out... if you go to the www.americantaxrelief.com the FTC has shut down even their website. FINALLY somebody is doing something about these guys!
![Santa Barbara Tax Products Group [SBTPG] Reviews](/images/business/48-48/122854/santa-barbara-tax-products-group-sbtpg.png)
I can't believe the Goverment doesn't do something about these liars and cheats. Don't waste your money. They can not deliver what they promise concerning your taxes. You are better off dealing directly with the IRS. I sent them the $3, 600 they required to work on my tax problem. After they debited my accout (making sure they got their money) I couldn't even get them to talk to me on the phone. The have a timer when you call that will hang up on you if you haven't finished talking with them with-in 2 minutes. Working with this company put me in worst shape than before I paid the big bucks for their help. Beware-Beware-Beware!Do Not Deal With This Company!
Jail is way too good for these people. I have more respect for drug dealers because at least they are providing a service. ATR charged my card $6500 without authorization, then, when I asked for the credit, they blackmailed me to actually sign an authorization but for a lessor amount...was not interested in working with them at all at that point. Paul Franklin is a total dirtbag.
These people not only need to be put out of business, they need to pay for the harm they have caused others. They are ###.
It took them six years for a settlement while the IRS kept taking my checking account
money. This caused me to lose my job because of their constant harassment of my employer. The IRS seemed underhanded with the language use over the phone with
my boss so much I lost my job and had to go on unemployment. My boss even tried to garnish my small wages due to the recession. All I got from ATR was grief
and black listed with my union. Now I am without a job and the union wants to stop my unemployment insurance, they already stopped my health insurance. I am very unsatisfied with the results. ATR just waited for my statute of limitations to expire. All the while they kept charging me for services.
They took $ 3900.00 out of my checking account for service they were going to do about getting taxes I owed the IRS lowered, instead of me paying by the month they took it all at once not what it cost me to fax all the paper work, and when i couldnt get in touch with them for about to month or so called IRS found out they had didnt nothing so here I am with a tax bill and out the money with interest stii going on from the IRS until I can getthis cleared up, I am on fixed income and borrowed the money to pay them now i owe that plus the IRS too what to do?
I had a related predicament not too long ago. The thing I would suggest is discovering a company to fight for you. Eventually you will save cash and time. There's a web site that's doing analysis on tax relief agencies. They’re holding them liable for their shady ways. This is the website link. http://www.ConsumerTaxReports.org Also they are willing to take recommendations for businesses they haven’t recorded yet.
The FTC shut them down in Oct. 2010, when were you scammed. How do we recover our money ? Steve Kitchen and Shawn Madden were the ones I talked to and they never did anything for my case and never refunded my $5, 000. JOE SANTOS
Jim,
You are obviously a Liar who is defaming people on this site and promoting other companies shamelessly. you should be ashamed of yourself. i hope your parents aren't still alive to see you blatantly slandering other people just to promote for companies you know nothing about. Shame on you!
ATR was just shut down by the FTC. The FTC is coming out with new regulations for debt settlement companies and almost ALL the other tax relief companies will be shut down as well.
If you want real tax help, call someone who is professionally licensed and directly talk to them.
Here's a list of some legitimate companies:
Tax Resolution Professionals (www.taxresolutionprofessionals.com) - A licensed tax law firm owned and operated by attorneys. When you call you speak directly to a licensed attorney.
Joe Mastriano, CPA (www.taxproblem.org) - Licensed CPA firm. When you call you talk to a licensed CPA.
eTaxes.com (www.etaxes.com) - Tax Services Company. when you call you talk to a licensed Enrolled Agent.
Mike Habib, EA (www.myirstaxrelief.com) - Tax Services Company. when you call you talk to a licensed Enrolled Agent.
Almost all other companies than what is listed above - including settlewiththeirs.info - will be shutdown due to new FTC regulations that will take place in about two months.
american tax relief did the same thing to me they have 6500.00 plus another 800.00 from me, they have done nothing to help my tax problem.BEWARE.Do not hire these crooks.I will be turning them into my local FBI office, my states attorneys office and the better business
IRS Suspends Tax Practitioner for Failing To Provide Service Related to Offers in Compromise
WASHINGTON — An enrolled agent was suspended from practice before the Internal Revenue Service by the Office of Professional Responsibility on April 6 for not performing services related to offers in compromise (OIC) paid for by taxpayers.
Enrolled Agent Richard Hargus worked in California for two separate, now defunct companies that specialized in tax resolution services, which included submitting OICs to the IRS.
Multiple taxpayers paid the companies for Hargus to resolve their income tax liabilities through the OIC program. In many instances, the taxpayers either did not receive the services for which they paid or received very little assistance with resolving their tax issues.
An offer in compromise is an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS that settles the taxpayer’s tax liabilities for less than the full amount owed. Absent special circumstances, if a taxpayer has the ability to fully pay the tax liability in a lump sum or through installment agreement payments, an offer in compromise generally will not be accepted.
Tax practitioners are subject to the regulations issued under Treasury Department Circular 230. Specifically Circular 230 provides that a practitioner must exercise due diligence in preparing or assisting in the preparation of, approving, and filing of tax returns, documents, affidavits, and other papers relating to Internal Revenue Service matters.
Following an investigation by the IRS, Hargus admitted a lack of due diligence in these taxpayers’ situations. The IRS suspended Hargus from practice for a period of time lasting at least 18 months.
The IRS is taking a closer look at tax resolution companies, and is also litigating known OIC abuses to ensure that tax professionals fulfill their legal and ethical obligations to their clients in dealing with IRS tax matters.
Make a complaint with the Office of Professional Responsibility. I have attached the information you need to contact them, which is also available on www.irs.gov.
The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) At-a-Glance
Mission
The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) establishes and enforces consistent standards of competence, integrity and conduct for tax professionals (enrolled agents, attorneys, CPAs, and other individuals and groups covered by IRS Circular 230.
Strategic Priorities
OPR supports the IRS strategy to enhance enforcement of the tax law and to ensure that attorneys, accountants and other tax practitioners adhere to professional standards and follow the law.
Headquarters
Internal Revenue Service
Office of Professional Responsibility
SE:OPR, Room 7238/IR
1111 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20224
Phone Number: [protected]
Fax Number: [protected]
Program Background
The Office of Professional Responsibility provides education and outreach to the tax professional community and administers the enrolled agent exam. To support the IRS' strategic priorities, OPR ensures the integrity and credibility of the American tax system by working through tax professionals and with IRS operating divisions and functions. Circular 230 changes have created a need to increase awareness among tax professionals regarding the consequences of non-compliance. This awareness, plus increased enforcement and additional legislation, should help deter non-compliance.
Business Objectives
To increase the percentage of tax professionals who do adhere to professional standards and follow the law by:
Establishing procedures to identify and address the most egregious non-compliance cases
Strengthening partnerships with tax professionals
Establishing and communicating standards of conduct for tax practitioners
Establishing and maintaining a system of tax practitioner oversight
Rejuvenating the referral process
Publicizing actions taken to promote the integrity of the system and deter further non-compliance
Establishing and administering a system of sanctions for tax practitioners who fail to observe standards of conduct