Tax Masters review: Horrible Negligent Service 84

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT ALL OF THE ABOVE INSTANCES ARE QUITE TRUE THEY ARE SO SIMILAR TO MY EXPERIENCES WITH TAXMASTERS. FROM BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS I TOO HAVE FALLEN PREY TO THE MALPRACTICE OF INCOMPETENT SCAMMERS AT TAXMASTERS WHO PROMISED TO PREVENT LIENS AND LEVIES FROM THE IRS . INSTEAD THEY NEVER REPRESENTED ME EVEN AFTER I SIGNED THEM ON AND GIVEN THEM THE POWER OF ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT AND ALL LEVIES WAGE GARNISHEES AND LIENS WERE FILED BY THE IRS. I CAN EVEN NOW LOSE MY HOME. WHEN TAXMASTERS SUBMITTED THEIR NAME ON MY BEHALF TO THE IRS. THE OFFICER SAID THEY WERE NOT QUALIFIED TO SPEAK ON MY BEHALF BECAUSE OF THEIR LACK OF CREDENTIALS.
I HAVE CALLED THIS OFFICE SO MANY TIMES TO NO AVAIL AND JUST TO BE GIVEN THE RUNAROUND AND THEY NEVER RETURN YOUR CALLS. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND GET NO SERVICE IN RETURN. ONE CLIENT REPRESENTATIVE IN THEIR OPERATIONS OFFICE TURNED OUT TO BE THE SAME PERSON REPRESENTING HIMSELF AS A TAX SPECIALIST WITH A DIFFERENT NAME . WHY THESE PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO ADVERTIZE NATIONALLY IS BEYOND ME. THIS IS NOTHING BUT A HUGE SCAM THAT SEEMS TO BE THRIVING UNDER THE PROTECTION OF TEXAS LAW TO BE THIS SUCCESSFUL FOR THIS LONG. I JOIN ALONG WITH OTHERS WITH A COMPLAINT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

1. There used to be a huge blog filled with TaxMasters stories and complaints. The sued the guy and he took it down. Here's an archive of it though:

http://web.archive.org/web/20080621192338/www.enormousincongruities.com/2006/02/22/tax-masters/

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2. Apparently there is a US Treasury investigation into TaxMasters.

US Treasury Department
Attention: Agent Farwell
1919 Smith Street
Suite 2270
Houston, TX 77002

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3. And a potential class-action suit:

Pam Mitchell
[protected]

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4. Additionally:

If you've been a victim of TaxMasters, below is a good starting list of everyone you should send a letter to, detailing your experience. Signed and mailed letters are often still taken more seriously than an emailed or faxed one. You should also include any/all supporting documentation/evidence.

This really is needed. The sooner these agencies receive more complaints about this company, the more they will investigate.

1. Your state's Attorney General
2. All of your state's Senators and Representatives (Federal and State)
3. All of the following:

U.S. Treasury Department
ATTN: Special Agent Farwell
1919 Smith St.
Suite 2270
Houston, TX 77002

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy
333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 900
Austin, TX [protected]

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
Hotline
P.O. Box 589
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC [protected]

Office of the Attorney General of Texas
PO Box 12548
Austin, TX [protected]

U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Attorney General
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530

Internal Revenue Service
Office of Professional Responsibility
SE: OPR, Room 7238/IR
1111 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20224

Better Business Bureau of Houston
http://houston.bbb.org/

Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580

Mayor Annise D. Parker
City of Houston
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251

THANK YOU FOR SHARING, CONSIDER ME EDUCATED AND RUNNING VERY FAST IN OTHER DIRECTION FROM THAT FIRST ALL CALMING PHONE CALL.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. AMW

Hello Everyone:

POTENTIAL CLASS ACTION:

I am trying to forward information to the attorney who is reviewing our potential Tax Masters class action suit. Please forward the following for our preliminary summary:

Name
Contact Information
Summary of Your Issue with Tax Masters
Amount Loss

Please forward this information to me at your earliest convenience (triplejassoc@aol.com) in order for me to compile and forward to the attorney. I will keep you abreast of the status.

Thanks,

Pam Mitchell, Sr. Paralegal
[protected]

I have a MAJOR complaint about Tax Masters! I called, of course in a desperate attempt to make things right with my tax issue on Jan. 11, 2010. I was sent paper work and told that I was to pay a fee of $1265.00 up front, and payments of over $700 a month for 5 more months. Because of the nature of my situation, which is what I believed them to deal in, I did send the first payment. Within minutes of my first conversation, they had charged my credit card the $1265.00 this was the FASTEST thing they had done the entire time! I called back immediately after, and said I would NOT be signing the paper work as I was advised be an attorney. I mean it hadent even been a day, and now it has been WEEKS! Every time I call, they send me through a voice mail black hole, that I truely believe leads nowhere. After repeated attempts to speak to someone, and many many messages and e mails, the only word I ever got was that I may receive something in the mail 6 to 8 weeks from now that will simply tell me they will review my file. Who knows how many weeks that will take. I can only say that I WILL NOT be giving up and there will be justice in the future. I cannot believe that I actually trusted them, and I was sooooooooo wrong to do so. If you are in the same situation I cannot SCREAM it lous enough "THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY! DONT DO IT!" You would be better off calling the IRS yourself, and sending that money directly to them in an effort to show youre trying! They will work with you, and I truely believe, BETTER than Tax Masters ever could in the first place!

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I was thinking of using Tax Maters to negotiate my tax liabilities but after reading a few of these posts I decided not to retain their services. I understand that fraudulent companies exposed on Twitter get communicated to millions in a matter or hours or a few days. If they are exposed to millions of shareholders who knows what would happen to their stock.

This is a copy of the letter that I sent to Tax Masters. Of course, there has been no contact except through the Houston BBB whose hands are tied. I also contacted the Texas Attorney General's Office and the Consumer Fraud Office of the FTC. So far, nothing, and judging by the other complaints, I can expect nothing. Anyone for a class action lawsuit?

January 7, 2009

To: Quality Assurance, Tax Masters
From: Client #R7209
Re: Contract screwups

On December 30, 2009, I contacted Tax Masters through e-mail (at 9:07 am) regarding a rejected Offer in Compromise from the IRS. Antonio Ruiz called me on December 30, 2009 to discuss what Tax Masters could do to help. At that time, I agreed to work with Antonio, and he explained the billing to me. I was told that the cost would be $4750.00, that fees were deductible, and that I could make payments in installments. Antonio and I agreed on January 8, 2010 and February 8, 2010 as dates for two installments of $2375 to be withdrawn from my checking account.

I received an e-mail at 3:35 pm from Abigail Venegas with the Engagement Agreement and Power of Attorney to sign and fax back. The Engagement Agreement listed the dates of installments as December 30, 2009 and January 8, 2010. I immediately called Antonio to tell him that the dates were incorrect. He said he would notify Billing of the changes and send out new paperwork. I told him I would not sign the incorrect paperwork. I have yet to sign any paperwork.

On January 4, 2010 the first installment was taken from my checking account. I immediately called Tax Masters, albeit after hours and left a message for Antonio to call me. I again left a message for Antonio to get back to me regarding this matter on January 6, 2010 and did not receive a response. I called again this morning (1/7/2010) at 8:15 am and was put through to the Billing Department because Antonio again was not in the office.

I spoke with Aaron Sinclair in Billing, and his records did not show that a change in billing dates had occurred. Unfortunately, Aaron bore the brunt of my anger and I apologized to him for that. This is not Aaron’s problem. Aaron did tell me that the initial deposits are non-refundable. At no time was I told this by Antonio nor is this shown in any paperwork that I have read through.

I have not signed the incorrect Engagement Agreement or the Power of Attorney, an installment of $2375.00 has been drawn from my checking account, I’ve been told that that money is non-refundable, the agent will not return my phone calls, and I’m stuck with something I no longer want to be a part of. At this point in time, I want to end the services from Tax Masters, receive my first installment back, and be done with it. I’m hoping that we can work together to resolve this problem. And I would expect to be contacted by Tax Masters Quality Assurance Offices and by Antonio.

Sincerely

I worked with Pat Cox at a CPA firm in the late 80's. He was terminated for incompetence. From reading all your posts nothing has changed.

He is currently a Certified Public Accountant licensed by the State of Texas (http://www.tsbpa.state.tx.us/macros/OD007.ndm/DETAIL?ID=055358 ). Your complaints about his deficiencies can be filed with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy get get him sanctioned and and possibly shut down.

Tax Masters took my money and never did a thing. I ended up owing the IRS more than I did before Tax Masters. They promised they would have my debt lowered and they did nothing but take my money. I'm a single parent raising 3 kids and I can't afford to loose $1, 000, but I did. We need to do something about them..

look at it this way, if everyone in the world filed their taxes on time or at least filed an extension and did it before the oct 15th deadline then there wouldn't be companies like this for you to complain about and alot more people without jobs. do you think your problems are the only ones in the world? do you think that the happy clients actually are going to voice their opinions? no because they have complaint websites not "I'm the happy customer" websites. please act like grownups and file your taxes on time and take responsibility for your own mistakes. people have jobs to do at that company like any other and if you aren't patient or courteous they won't respond to you in an orderly fashion.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUT A BULLET IN HIS FAT ###

TaxMasters is not the tax resolution service that it purports to be. Their business is less than impressive. First of all, let me offer a suggestion to anyone who reads this
blog. When you have a problem with the IRS, get in touch with the IRS before you call
TaxMasters. Second, get all your information ready before contacting the IRS. Third,
call the IRS in the morning because it is the best time to reach them. Fourth, state your
problem plainly to the agent using a cool head in the process. Remember, the agent is there to help you solve the problem. It is my experience that if you approach them in a
businesslike manner, you will have a better than average outcome. Finally, TaxMasters
charges $2, 000.00 to take your case, and there is no guarantee that you will receive a
favorable resolution. Do not pay TaxMasters any money upfront as they will not give you a refund. Do not sign any TaxMasters contract because you will have no case against them. There are so many complaints against this firm that it is not worth the risk. Thank you for reading this message.

Tracy Dresden -
Don't get too uptight. Possession is 9/10ths of the law. YOU are in possession. There is little that TaxMasters can do at this point. Ensure that you immeidately, in writing sent via certified mail, cancel the contract and cancel their power of attorney. Hopefully, you did this right away within days of signing the contract. If so, the most TaxMasters can do is to sue you for the money. They cannot take you to collections without a judgement. So should they do this, you will have the opportunity to give the court evidence that you canceled quickly, no harm, no foul. TaxMasters will probably not pursue you. There just isn't any benefit to them to actually incur costs to pursue you. The last thing that WILL probably happen is that they will try to ruin your credit report, by reporting you to TRW, etc.
Right after I dealt with TaxMasters and beat their scam, I suddenly developed credit problems. Go figure.

I hired Tax Masters to do some of my Tax issues and signed the paperwork for all the payments and a power of attorney. Before they got any of my information I kept getting phone calls about the payments and them trying to with draw the money out of my checking account. They didn't even have my social security number or any of my IRS information they were just trying to get the money. I had to change my checking account because even though I did everything they told me to do to cancel the kept trying to take the money. Now beings I have changed my bank account I get a letter in the mail which I don't even know how they got my address and they are threatening to take me to collections for almost $4000. This place is the biggest rip off. I need some kind of help to stop these people from taking this to collection.

I have the same complaints they are nothing but THIEVES. I took care of IRS myself, paid my bill and TM got $4K for literally, NOTHING. I am considering a class action suit under deception. How many are willing to go along with me. email me at: www.ihemmert@mac.com.

I too got duped by this company. I see why people pick up guns and go into a place and kill everybody. I called the Texas Attorney General and they passed the buck. Here are some numbers to managers at TaxMasters

Logan
[protected] ext 7040

Ramirez
[protected] ext 8501

I am down for a class action. Here is my email address: cwbilb2407@hotmail.com. I will not take this laying down.

That Cox guy is so fat, he has to wear a beard to cover it up. I figured, he's so fat, he must eat really well. And you have to be successful to eat well like that. Jabba the Hutt immediately springs to mind when I see him. I mean, that guy must be putting away the caviar and Dom Perignon double time. My biggest concern if I were a client of his is that he might mix me up with food. No one wants to end up like a pork chop.

As I see on the Internet, I and many others have been taken for a ride by this company. We have lost almost $10, 000 as well as many sleepless nights and frustrating phone calls and emails. Our situation is very complicated and I thought these guys were reputable. Saw the ad on CNN, Patrick seemed so reassuring and trustworthy. Now every time I see the commercial I want to shoot my TV! We tried to cancel when we found out they only worked with us over the phone or through fax or email and they sent me a bazillion pages of worksheets to fill out for them. I still had to do all the work so they could just plug in the numbers and for that they want $250 to $500 per tax year! WOW! I wish I had seen these complaints before I called them but I was scared and under threat from the IRS Revenue Agent. I found someone local who was willing to work with us face-to-face, guide us through everything and really help us but couldn't hire him when I found out that Taxmasters was going to take all our money anyway. I wish I could go back in time and do this all over. I'd rather shoot myself than go through this! I want to know if anyone knows of a class action suit I could join or if anyone knows a lawyer willing to get all of us together and start one. I understand the US Treasury Dept and the TX Attorney Genl. are investigating them so it should be a slam dunk! My regular email is kathijo@gmail.com. Please let me know. I'm desperate. Now they want more money! I can't do this anymore!

I signed up with tax masters in the late afternoon on Monday, 7/13/09. The lady I spoke with, Adriane Williams. I told Adriane that somebody told me that I could go to the IRS to have my taxes done. She laughed at me and said that I would be in big trouble if I walked in that office to tell them that I have not filed my taxes the last few years. All she told me is that I need to have my taxes done immediately and said they have qualified people there to do the taxes. She transfered my call to verification department who read my information back to me for accuracy. Adrian had a couple of things wrong and I corrected it with this lady, like the spelling of my last name. I had to correct this 3 different times. Adriane Williams, sent me an email with a contract and told me that I need to fax it back immediately and present in my meeting the next morning. I printed the contract and seen that she had my name spelled wrong all throughout the contract. I have spoken to 3 different Taxmaster representatives and had them correct it 3 different times. I signed the contract with the incorrect spelling of my name and faxed it to them around 10am on Tuesday, 7/14/09 morning. Within 1 hour Taxmasters called to verify that they have received my fax. I told the lady to tear that fax up and that I am canceling at this time. She said ok.

I called Adriane and told her that I am canceling at this time. She said that she needs a cancelation letter. I sent her one later that afternoon on Tuesday 7/14. The next day, on Wed 7/15, I get an email from Damaris Givens. He is sending me more forms to sign. At this time I am very concerned that this company is not communicating with each other. They should know that I have canceled at this time.

On Thursday 7/16/09, I am so concerned about this that I call Taxmasters for verification that they have my cancelation. I also request to speak to billing to make sure they have not taken money out of my account yet and if they have to credit it back to me immediately. I spoke with Jenna in billing on 7/15 at 1:45pm. She said that this has been assigned a case and directed me to Kacey Perry in Quality Assurance, who is ahead of my case. What the ... There should be no case at all and my money should be credited back to me immediately.

Kasey tells me she has a signed contract. I said, no you don't, when the girl called me back to verify that she received my fax, I told her to tear it up I am canceling at this time, the girl said ok. Kasey then tells me that she is currently working on last weeks complaints and will get to me in the order she has received the complaints. I then hung up only to call back within the hour to speak to Kasey again. I ask for her email and told her that I am sending her an email for verification of our conversation. I also told her again that there is no contract and I expect to see the $500 credited in my account no later then this Monday. All she could say to me is that she can not promise me anything. I sent her an email on Friday morning. I sense that she knows she works for a ### company and that anything that passes her desk is out of her hands and she can't help anybody. She is probably just paid to take complaints only.

I went home on Thursday and did a BBB search on Tax Masters and found that this company has a lot of complants. http://houston.bbb.org/Find-Business-Reviews/ There are over 300 complaints on Tax Masters and they have an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau. I also want to state at this time that there was no mention of any money that I put down on Monday was for somebody telling me yes you need to get your taxes done. I don't need to pay anybody to tell me that. I already knew that and was wanting to get it done. But do to the incompetency and lack of communication of this company I am wanting to find somebody else to do my taxes. As far as I know that money was taken out of my account immediately before they received the fax. The fax was to be torn up when the fax department called me to let me know they received the fax.

On Tue 7/21/09 I spoke with Kasey. I wanted to know if my money has been credited back to me. She said she is working on last weeks complaints. I said, you said that same thing to me last week. I also told her that since I spoke to her I was doing some research on Tax Masters and have been finding a lot of complaints, some of which is similar to mine. I told her that I filed a complaint with the BBB. She gritted her teeth and said, “I see that.” I also said that I sense that it is not her who decides if people get their money back or not.

She said that it is THE LAW that anything over the phone not be refunded and that Tax Masters policy states that there is a NO CANCELATIONS. I said, Oh, I see take the money and run. I am a consumer and consumers have rights. I have nothing to show for the money you charged me up front.   I did not receive anything for my money. She said she is working on last weeks complaints and Tax Masters has a no cancelation policy. I said you told me last week you are working on last weeks complaints. I expect a call by the end of the day from you, she said ok.
Kasey Perry called me back late afternoon and said after review you will not be refunded back your money. I told Kasey that the company’s policy is crooked and that she is either just as deceptive as the company she works for or this is her first job and she doesn’t know any better. I told her that I am disputing her decision and expect a call from somebody hire up then her. She said ok.

Now they are holding onto my $500 for further review. BS -- where is my money? I have the right to cancel and I did it all within less then 24 hours. I don’t want to work with a company that is incompetent, deceptive and does not communicate with each department nor do they state anything about a non-cancelation policy.

Note: This company has caller ID. When you call the recording says, “existing customers press 5. If you press 5 you will be on hold forever.
Do an Internet search on Consumer complaints Tax Master reports ---- and view all of those complaints. Some of which is similar to mine. There is no way I want these people to work for me and I want my money back.

Note how SLACKERD and TAXBLASTER have 1 comment each, with ZERO complaints on file? I sure noted it. These people are likely working for the contractor who is handling the recent pro-TaxMasters internet blitz. That is why they have ZERO complaints, and one comment on this thread.

It is slightly amusing to see that TAXBLASTER'S comment was real close to the TaxMasters response in my dispute against them, which they did lose. This is the type of response you will probably get from TaxMasters, should you DARE dispute the scam. BLAME THE VICTIM. Fortunately, the law generally favors the little man, not the FAT MAN.

Keep filing disputes. Keep posting the complaints on complaintsboard, [redacted]dotcom, with the BBB. and the other complaint sites.

TAXMASTERS BBB RATING AS OF 24Jun09:

BBB Rating

Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of F

Reasons for this F rating include:

337 complaints filed against business
Failure to respond to 44 complaints filed against business
60 complaints filed against business that were not resolved
Overall complaint history with BBB
This company has an unsatisfactory report for a pattern of complaint activity regarding refunds and service. Taxmasters has a very specific refund policy. Company officials have stated in replies to complaints that they do not issue refunds because the company provides immediate advice and information on how to address the client's tax issues.

BBB complaints allege consumers are required to pay for the company's service before the company releases a copy of the contract and their policies for the consumer to review and sign. Once the consumer's account is charged they are then sent documents to review and are asked to sign the contract. According to the company, the $500 fee is for an IRS consultation. According to Taxmasters, the initial fee is not refunded unless company officials feel they "drop the ball". Consumers have stated that they were not advised that the fees are nonrefundable in the initial call to the company. As a general rule, the BBB recommends consumers ask any company they are doing business with about their refund, return, and/or exchange policy in advance of authorizing payment. The company has stated that their refund policy is clearly outlined on the documents that are faxed to the consumers.

GREAT COMPANY, RIGHT SLACKERD? REAL GOOD.

SLACKERD -
No. We people "are not too much". You, as your name implies, are TOO LITTLE. At least that is what SHE said. A very small person indeed.

That said, TaxMasters is a complete ripoff. People end up with tax issues. Some, at no fault of their own. It happens. When I could finally take care of mine, and needed help, I hired TaxMasters. I just wanted someone to help me talk to the IRS; nothing more. They lied to me during the initial telephone consult, which is carefully scripted and orchestrated to screw the consumer. They lied to me after to consult, after they had my money. I demanded a refund within a day or so of signing up, before any work could have possibly been done. These clowns maintained they had a right to the FULL multi-thousand dollar fee for doing NO WORK. For lying to get the contract, and then changing the terms of the agreement after money was received. Once the matter went into dispute, TaxMasters continued to lie... creating many false, completely fabricated and maliscious stories about me, in order to prejudice the arbitrators. Of course, they didn't prove their claims, because their claims were fabricated. I WON MY DISPUTE AND GOT MY MONEY BACK. ALL OF IT. Every last dime. Am I too much too, SLACKERD? Was TaxMAsters right in MY case? My case, which was found in MY favor, after careful review by a third party investigator? THESE are the people you defend... SLACKERD. Cruds. Liars. I CAN call them liars. They lied to me. Many times. They lied to the banks.

Do you work for TaxMasters, SLACKERD? Are you their new marketing contractor, who has recently launched an internet campaign to flood the search engines with bogus TaxMaster pages for search terms like "taxmasters +fraud"? You MUST work for them... seeing as you have ALL THE INSIDE INFO in order to make some half-assed judgement about the 45 complaints on this board alone. TaxMasters is on an internet bliz in order to silence the truth about their corrupt business practices. Do the search yourself and see. Honest businesses do not need to flood the internet. Honest businesses who operate with a morale compass do not get rated an F by the BBB. Honest businesses do not blame their victims.

Why don't you keep you idiotic opinion of others to yourself? It is quite clear to me that you are a stooge. A paid stooge.

ANYBODY who believes that fat, bearded, red-headed bozo ---- that the IRS said we owed $50, 000, Tax Masters fought hard and the IRS said we owed nothing. Come on!, if you can be that STUPID you deserve to have Patrick Cox rip you ### off and laugh at you all the way to the bank. $50, 000, and the IRS said, oh well, forget it...

Yes, Tax Masters is a stinking rip off, and yes, you deserve to have your ### ripped. Get current on your tax returns... meaning file something, who even cares if it is correct. Believe it or not, they, the IRS will correct it. Call them, in two months, file an 8829 and request a payment plan... pay $100 a month and DON'T MISS A PAYMENT.

This is not brain surgery. ... ... I've done this for a hundred people. The disgusting thing is that they come to me, and complain that I charge then $250 for a tax return and pmt plan paperwork, ... and this is AFTER Tax Masters has debited their credit card for thousands of dollars. ... okay, so now I am the bad guy because I actually know how to fix this stuff, but I need to pay my rent too, and I am not a charity or some kind of good-deed-doer who is willing to halp their sorry ### out for sympathy. Bottom line is that I'm sick of it all. I can't make an honest $250 and all Partick Cox does is make dishonest $1, 000's... All you idiots that have been raped by TaxMasters flatly got what you deserve. You have been scamming the American tax system, and now you are crying like babies because you have been given a dose of your own medicine by a big fat Master Thief who still promised you something for nothing.

Better Business Bereau advises not to use this Company:

These complaints were closed as:
43 No Response
43 No Response
217 Resolved
2 Resolved
175 Assumed Resolved
10 BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.
19 Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
4 Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
1 Complaint was settled through BBB Mediation.
6 Resolved
60 Unresolved
39 Company failed to resolve the complaint issues through the BBB voluntary and self-regulatory process.
21 Unresolved

Call your Bank and initiate an unauthorized transaction dispute. They will put a hold (if it is not too late) and then change your bank card number fast!

Do not waste time with BBB. Contact the FBI Internet Crimes Division.

Call your state Attorney general.

Call or fill out the from for the Texas Attorney General.

These people have no scruples at all.

taxmasters should be shut down! They are the worst of the worst - liars and crooks! I hate them! They took me for $ 6, 550.00

I, too, fell victim to these people. I had contracted them in Nov. 2008 for services. Of course, their salesman was very reassuring and told me to "be encouraged." That seems to be their mantra. Instead, I heard absolutely nothing from them until I began getting letters from the IRS in February about a wage levy - I then left Tax Masters over 30 messages and then I had to physically drive down to their office in Houston, Texas. Geez, what a low looking place. And yes, they have a whole section dedicated to their "sales team" -- as I sat in the lobby, I was staring right at their sales people and they looked extremely uncomfortable - they knew that I knew what they were all about. I told one of the account representatives (what a joke) I was not leaving until I had this resolved that day. So, they were FORCED to work on my case. They had debited my bank account in November for $500.00 -- and then they said it was an additional charge for the release of the wage levy...yup, another $200.00. Well, the levy was released, but after what I saw in person...a whole floor dedicated to sales people, I decided I didn't need to put up with this any longer.

When I drove home back to Austin, I immediately went to my credit union and closed my account so that Tax Masters would not be able to drain me of anymore money they were not working for. Since November 2008 through February 2009, I had placed over 46 calls -- none which have ever been returned.

Be encouraged? What a joke. Be afraid of Tax Masters...be very afraid. DO NOT EVER CONSIDER THESE JOKERS FOR HELP.
Instead, I hired a local attorney who deals with IRS issues...for $300.00 he took my case and there is a rainbow at the end for me.

I am going after TaxMasters under The Deceptive Trade Practice Act, that if you win you will be awarded damages triple the amount. They are incompetent liars and Mr Cox's company brings in $40 million a year of which he gets to keep $15 million after operating costs. I've been getting information from a former TaxMaster employee who left the company due to the ongoing fraud against their clients. This company need to be taken down. All the more reason to vote for The Fair Tax Bill. Get rid of the IRS and companies like TaxMasters once and for all!

DO NOT USE THESE CON ARTISTS

On March 8, 2009, I e-mailed Tax Masters with a general question. On March 9, 2009, they telephoned and gave me a very fast sales pitch. I fell for it and gave them my credit card number. Then they e-mailed me the contract and credit card authorization, along with other documents. After reading the contract, I called because the contract did not reiterate our phone conversation. The were supposed to send further verification of our earlier conversation and what services would be provided. Before I received anything else, I called and told them I did not wish to proceed and that I WAS NOT AUTHORIZING ANY CHARGES TO MY CREDIT CARD. The next day, I received another phone call from another Tax Masters representative for additional information. I told her I had cancelled. She told me to e-mail my cancellation. I did. Then I checked my credit card account. Tax MAsters billed me $1662.50 for legal consultation. I called to question the charge and was told my file was being turned over to tgheir "collections department" and their "legal department." "For what", I asked? I was told someone would be in touch with me. Despite numerous e-mails and phone calls, all I've been told is my refund is being processed. It has been a month. And what really gets me is that I never signed anything and I never sent anything back; I specifically told them I was not authorizing any charges to my credit card and I did not wish to retain their services. They still billed my credit card. I plan on filing complaints with the Florida and Texas Attorney General's Offices and the Texas State Bar because they bill "legal services, " yet state they are not a law firm in their disclaimer. I also still have time to contest the charge with my credit card company, but my credit card company will cancel my account and it will takeseveral weeks to get another credit card. THESE FOLKS ARE CROOKS!

you people are a piece of work. looks to me like your blaming taxmasters for your screw ups.

Warning!

Do not give TaxMasters your Credit Card Account Number or any Bank account information until they
have sent you the contract. Please read the contract carefully and have another legal professional you trust read the contract.

Warning!

Even if you do not sign the contract and you have given them credit card or bank account numbers they will charge your account. You will then need to prove your case with the Bank or Credit Card Company. Make sure you tell the
Bank or Credit Card Company that your dispute is for "Services Not Rendured"! The banks and Credit Card Company's assume the dispute is for a product purchase Like a Home Shopping network type Purchase.

Taxmasters may have a legitimate business plan but appear to have some incredibly incompetent and unethical employee's on the payroll. My advice is to find a local CPA that is recommended by your employer or othe family members or friends. Never never never use an out of town firm to handle any financial issues ( Tax's, Home Mortgage, etc. ) If it sounds to good to be true, it is.

Thanks a lot Fox Channel ! I tursted you were on the side of the common man. Through your endorsements, I contacted Taxmasters and now I am fighting to prevent having to pay $3, 800.00 for an unsigned contract and Services Not Rendered! Dennis Miller ( AKA Paris Miller you Suck) your crediblity is in the toliet!

I wish everyone luck in clearing their dispute with TM.

JC

I was almost victimized today by Taxmasters - They didnt want to cancel my order - They were so comforting when I seemed to be a new victim of their Sales tactics but NOW I think I got the order canceled - Thank GOD I did not give them my Actual bank account number. I canceled my bank card. I had an intuition after making a phone order for their services to investigate their reputation. YOu know there are always complaints on the internet about large corporations, but this after noon I have read over 400 separate complaints and the Harris County Attorney General actually has them under investigation of bank fraud - WOW So I called back to cancel and boy did their reassuring manner change. Im still shaking, the supervisor of the Tax Consultant (high pressure sales rep in a phone bank) actually called me an ###. I can believe I gave them my Soc Sec Numbers and so much personal info. I am really scared. More scared than prior to calling them.

Hello All,

I see that many of you have been a victim of that big, friendly man on the television box who claimed to make your IRS woes disappear. As an ex-employee of Tax Masters, I may be of some use to you with regard to how the business process actually works within the firm, and the respect (or lack thereof) that your cases are given - and I can be incredibly specific. Please feel free to email me at the address provided with any questions you may have.

I have had the exact same experience with JK Harris and they have since settled a class action suit for the same deception and shell games.
My question is "Does anyone know of a reasonable tax service available to help in solving my tax problem?"
If so please email me at bayouboy4777@yahoo.com and put tax resolution suggestions in subject column.
Thank You,
John

My friend just signed a contract with TM, additionally she wired them $3, 000. to get the ball rolling. She made the mistake of using her emotions and not her brain after seeing their commercial on FOX, did not do any research with regard to TM reputation.
After a short 3 weeks the signs of doom have started, emails not received, phone calls not returned and the IRS dead line is 1 week away.
They are asking for a series of $600.00 payments for the next 4 months, I feel she should cut her losses now and not send any more money. Is she obligated to send the additional payments since she signed the contract? The negative information on the internet about TM adds to her concern and is a red flag which should have been researched before she sent a penny.
Has anyone seen a positive report from satisfied customers of TM, or has anyone had a positive experience with them ? If so I would like to hear from you, I have tried to find some on google but I cannot.

Legitimate tax pros do NOT charge for a telephone consultation to find out the basic problem. Legitimate companies of ANY type do not ask for payment BEFORE you see the contract. These are clear warning signs.

Best: Deal with an Enrolled Agent to solve a tax problem. Understand what representative will do and how he/she will charge you. Do not give your checking account or credit card info over the phone without KNOWING what you are obligating yourself to pay for.

If you have an OIC issue, ASK what the company's success ratio of cases submitted versus cases resolved. JK Harris, TM and other OIC "mills" average 5-15% success rate. They may lie and tell you more. A legitimate representative is in the 60%+ area.

Our firm, for example, will turn down cases that we don't think have a remote chance of winning. That means we TURN DOWN YOUR MONEY when you shouldn't be paying us.

Any representative you hire should be in contact with an IRS officer (if one has been assigned to your case) within 7 days of being hired. Sometimes, I know from experience, it may take a little longer to get in touch with the agent, but by then, the agent already knows we tried to call. If the agent doesn't know who your representative is 30 days after you hired him or her, you have a PROBLEM.

Don't keep paying for services when you are dissatisfied. Close the bank account or credit card. Complain loudly. That's not the way business is done.

Keep in mind, however, that NOT ALL CASES come to quick conclusions with the IRS. Very often a case will be opened and the IRS will sit on a case for 6 to 9 months! But if the IRS is trying to contact you, SOMEONE needs to rspond quickly. The appearance of evading the agent is assumptive that your are evading payment and that is not to your advantage as a taxpayer.

R Klein, EA

We hired Taxmasters and they agreed to contact the IRS within a deadline for us not to incur fees and penalties...since (they did not get to the IRS after we signed the contract) in a timely manner after they said "not to worry", we fired them. In spite of the fact that they never did any work for us they still keep charging us the $750/month and American Express is believing them and is placing the charges back on our account because we signed the contract (even though Taxmasters breached the contract by their lack of performance and not answering phone calls asking them to please fax us a verification that they had indeed contacted the IRS in a timely fashion before the due date so as to not incur fines...they NEVER did this simple task after asking them over and over. Everyone needs this sort of verification for their records.

We found out from an insider (collections agent)that someone who had our file "walked out on the job the day our file was placed on her desk "(therefore no one there picks up the ball for anyone else)...a truely dysfunctional outfit. We are so disgusted everytime we see or hear them advertised on Fox News, Air America, CNN or anywhere that they are still believeable. Sorry folks ...you will be found out because it is not possible to continue treating customers in this way. The most basic business courtesy rule is "The customer is always right"...Taxmasters is a sham.

TAX MASTERS - HOUSTON THEY ALMOST GOT ME TO PUT A $600 DEPOSIT FOR CONSULTATION. AFTER TALKING TO A GUY BY THE NAME OF JOHN PACKER. THIS GUY IS A FAST TALKER AND WANTS ME TO GIVE HIM A BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER FOR THE PAYMENT . I KNOW I HAVE 6 UNFILED TAX RETURN AND I KNOW I OWE THE IRS . BUT HE HASNT CONVINCED ME IF HE CAN HELP ME OUT .HE TALKED AND PLACE MORE ATTENTION ON THEIR SERVICES AND FEES. BUT NEVER REASSURED ME IF HE CAN HELP ME OUT. ITS GOOD I DIDNT MAKE ANY PAYMENTS, BECAUSE I USE TO LIVE IN HOUSTON FOR 15 YEARS AND I KNOW WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED (TOWN AND COUNTRY SHOPPING CENTER ) AND DAMN, IF I DONT GET MY MONEY BACK . . . .

they took my money and have done nothing for 90 days
what can i do ? i call and call, they say there working on it
but its only 3 simple tax returns that need to be sent in
do i sue for only 1500.00 that i'm out
DO NOT USE TAX MASTERS !

I have paid $6350.00 so far and they take money from my checking account anytime they choose. I sent them everything they needed to do my returns in February and didn't get them until June 12th and that was after repeated calls and emails to anyone I could call.

Now they haven't done anything and will not return my calls or emails. Since I started paying them the IRS has gotten nearly everything I owe them and I have nothing left to get anyone else. What the hell do you do? I still see ^%**^% commercials on tv and I would like to sue the ### out of Patrick Cox and TaxMasters. The hell this has been is beyond belief.