H&R Block / HRB Digital review: Overpayment of state taxes

FORMAL COMPLAINT AND REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION
REGARDING SHARON IPAVICH OF H&R BLOCK
June 20, 2026
To Whom It May Concern:
1. Professional Relationship and Reliance
I began working with Sharon Ipavich in 2025 concerning both my business and personal tax matters. At all times relevant to this complaint, she was and remains an employee of H&R Block. Throughout our professional relationship, I relied upon her advice and guidance concerning important tax matters and reasonably expected competent, timely, and accurate professional assistance.
2. Initial Concern Regarding Professionalism and Communication
My first indication that there might be a problem with Ms. Ipavich's professionalism occurred on June 7, 2026, when an important scheduled telephone conference regarding these tax matters was missed. Approximately one hour after the scheduled call time, I received an email stating that an office emergency prevented her participation. Although a subsequent conference was arranged, no apology or acknowledgment of the inconvenience was offered. In retrospect, this raised concerns regarding professionalism, diligence, communication, and reliability.
3. June 16, 2026 IRS Direct Pay Payment of Approximately $105,000
On June 16, 2026, at approximately 10:30 AM EST, I made an IRS Direct Pay payment of approximately $105,000. During that payment process, Ms. Ipavich was on the telephone with me and directed me through every step of the process, or so I understood, including the exact amount to enter and the various selections to complete online.
Before that conversation, Sharon asked me to send her certain Merrill Edge reports, including my SEP document and my 2025 tax reporting statement, which I promptly did.
I reasonably understood that my overall tax obligations, including both federal and New York State taxes, were being addressed. At no point did she state that the payment made during our second phone call was solely for federal taxes or instruct me to make a separate New York State payment.
The call ended once the online payment of $105,000 was made. Sharon did not mention a separate State tax payment. I therefore assumed that the $105,000 payment would be divided between the federal and State taxes due. After the payment was completed, she likewise never advised me that any additional payment remained due, and nothing more was said about it by Sharon.
4. Prior Email Regarding Federal and New York State Amounts
Ms. Ipavich may point to a prior email indicating that my federal liability was approximately $80,000 and my New York State liability was approximately $27,000. However, I do not believe that such an email superseded the specific guidance she provided during the actual payment process.
I relied upon her instructions during that call and reasonably believed that both liabilities were being addressed. My understanding of the email was only that it explained the breakdown of the total payment. I had no idea that separate payments should have been made.
To reiterate, Sharon made no such mention during our phone call. Please listen to the recorded call if it is available.
5. Discovery That New York State Taxes Remained Unpaid
It was not until approximately June 18, 2026, after I contacted her the previous day asking how we should proceed regarding State taxes, that I was informed that approximately $27,000 remained due to New York State. This is when she told me that I had overpaid the federal amount and had not paid the State tax burden.
It also appears that she did not feel it necessary to contact me immediately after receiving the PDF Direct Pay confirmation of the transaction. Instead, she waited until my phone call.
6. Prior Disclosure of Roth Conversions and Concerns About Penalties
I had previously disclosed my Roth conversions and had asked how penalties and late payments could be avoided. I believed that the liabilities could be satisfied when filing my next return. Only recently was I informed that estimated taxes should have been paid by April, causing me concern that penalties and interest may result.
7. Financial Impact and Disruption of Investment Strategy
I have been forced to liquidate additional assets, interrupting my investment and income strategy, in order to satisfy an unexpected New York State liability that I reasonably believed had already been addressed under the guidance provided by H&R Block.
I further understand that any overpayment to the federal government cannot be recovered until filing my 2026 return, thereby causing additional inconvenience and financial harm.
8. Request for Investigation and Preservation of Privacy
I respectfully request a thorough investigation and appropriate corrective or disciplinary action. I will provide emails, text messages, screenshots, statements, and supporting documents upon request. I do not authorize unrestricted access to my private tax information without my express consent.
9. Reservation of Rights and Civil Remedies
Additionally, I intend to pursue civil remedies against H&R Block for damages, legal fees, costs, interest, and any other losses arising from the mishandling of my tax matters and the professional advice provided by its employee. I reserve all rights and remedies available under applicable law.
10. H&R Block Complaint Filed on June 18, 2026
At approximately 4:52 PM on June 18, 2026, I contacted H&R Block's complaint department at [protected] and filed a formal complaint. I was advised that the matter would be escalated and was provided with complaint case number [protected].
11. Additional Events of June 19, 2026
Following these events, I arranged with Ms. Ipavich to conduct a telephone conference on June 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM for the specific purpose of paying the approximately $27,000 due to New York State.
At 10:03 AM, after not receiving a call from Ms. Ipavich, I sent her a text message advising that I was waiting for her call. Ms. Ipavich replied by text message that she had sent me instructions by email to file the taxes myself.
At first, I did not see the email, but I quickly located it and attempted to follow the instructions. However, I experienced difficulty completing the process and was unable to successfully make the payment. I immediately sent Ms. Ipavich an email explaining that I was having difficulty and requesting assistance.
I then promptly contacted H&R Block and filed an additional complaint. I was advised that the matter would again be escalated and was provided with complaint case number [protected]. The agent's name was Casey.
12. Repeated Missed Appointments and Resulting Concern
Ms. Ipavich had previously failed to participate in the July 7, 2026 conference, later explaining that an office emergency had prevented her participation.
With respect to the June 19, 2026 conference regarding the payment of approximately $27,000 owed to New York State, she advised that she was not feeling well and did not call as scheduled.
While I sincerely wish her well, the repeated cancellations, missed appointments, and inability to provide timely assistance have caused substantial inconvenience, confusion, and concern regarding the handling of my tax matters.
13. Failure to Advise That Additional State Payment Was Required
Furthermore, after the original telephone conference during which I made the approximately $105,000 payment, Ms. Ipavich made no mention whatsoever that any additional steps remained to be taken.
The sole purpose of that conference was to ensure that both my federal and New York State tax obligations were paid. Although, unbeknownst to me, the payment was directed solely to the Internal Revenue Service, Ms. Ipavich never advised me after the call that a separate New York State payment was still required, nor did she provide any subsequent instruction indicating that additional action remained necessary.
I reasonably relied upon her advice and believed that all tax liabilities discussed during that conference had been satisfied.
14. Final Request and Reservation of Rights
Accordingly, I respectfully request a complete investigation into the conduct described herein and any appropriate corrective measures. I further reserve all rights to seek damages, reimbursement of losses, legal fees, interest, costs, and any additional relief available under law.
Respectfully submitted,

Michael Wald