elroymyboy u
map-marker Garden City, New York

TAXMASTERS ROBBED ME

I have been trying to get my money back from TaxMasters since June! They took my money and never provided the booklet they promised. I have called them for 4 1/2 months only to get the run around and to be put in voicemail everyday! They stole my money! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! I was told i would be contacted with an update on my refund but they just say that. My file has been in the refund department since july! It's mid October! I am pissed. I filed a c omplaint with the BBB. Let's hope that works.
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Loss:
$500
actualtaxhelp
map-marker Los Alamitos, California

Tax Help

Recently our firm (877-517-****) has been receiving calls from consumers that have been complaining about Tax Masters and Jk Harris. It seems that these two companies are telling everyone that calls in that they qualify for an Offer in Compromise. If you want an OIC all you have to do is download form 656 off the IRS website and submit it. on the site they even tell you what qualifications are necessary to qualify for an Offer in Compromise. Let me be the first to tell you that if you qualify for an OIC you do not have any money to pay a tax preparer of any kind thousands of dollars to do this for you (for most cases, some cases are much more complex). There is no miracle process to resolving a tax payers debt, each individuals case requires a different approach. And there is no way to determine what it will cost a financial firm to resolve your tax situation from one phone conversation. Which is why our firm will do a Tax Investigation first. we actually contact to IRS and determine why you owe the debts you do. Once that is determined it becomes possible to know how your tax situation can be resolved. Fillings as 1099, 1040, k1, 940 etc. have different ramifications, and the reasons you owe the taxes: sub returns filed for you, non payment, receiving lump sums of cash (401k, divorce settlement, lottery winnings, stock trading) all have different ways of being resolved and depending on your situation. you may be entitled to having your debt reduced dramatically, or you may not be qualified to have it reduced at all. I'm not even sure why Those two companies promote Offer In Compromise as the legitimate fix all for tax debt, according to the IRS over 90% of all OIC's submitted get denied. A huge marketing budget doesn't equate to actual help. if you want actual advice and help call 877-517-****. There is no miracle cure, but there are many ways to fix your tax problems.
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2 comments
Guest

You can check out our site @***.info

Guest

Do you have a website that i can check out?

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DoulasNavy
map-marker Los Alamitos, California

They Took My Money

After I finished my time with the Navy i started my own construction company back home. We did very well for he past ten years up until the housing market crash. I kept my business pretty well under the radar, but i really shot myself in the foot ( didn't pay the payroll taxes for the since we started). Stupid i know, but that in the past. So the IRS started Levying my Bank accounts. I mean all My bank accounts: Checking, savings, CD's the list goes on. So i pulled everything out. I contacted Tax Masters to see if they could help me. A man named Lexington Steele with a funny accent got on the phone with me and after speaking to him all of ten minutes he wanted 10,000 right then and there to handle my tax issue. NO WAY. That should have been the end of it right there... But a manager by the name of Andrew called me up from TM and after talking to me for a while scared me into thinking that i was going to go to federal prison for tax evasion. I know that it does happen, but i should not have gone with TM! I paid them a "one-time-fee" of 10k. a LOT i know, but they told me that through offer and compromise they could reduce my tax debt to only $1,500 which is what i wanted. IF IT'S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE THEN IT IS!! These B*****ds DID NOTHING!!! I doubt they even contacted the IRS. Contact settlewiththeirs.info. Through searching for help i actually stumbled upoun these guys from a complaint blog. David at settlewiththeirs.info actually told me that i am not even qualified for an Offer In Compromise because i have too many assets. He explained that for someone in my situation the IRS will actually file a substitute return on the years i didn't file and *** what my Tax Liability is. ( Tax Masters Did none of this for me, they just scared me and lied to me into paying). But these guys ran a Tax Investigation for me to see what the government assessed and what could be done about it. and they didn't charge a dime to do. Daves # 877-517-****. Obviously Tax Masters is the biggest RIPOFF they charged me so much before they could have possibly contacted the IRS or even know what it is they could have done for me. Such a waste of my time an money! if anyone is interested in filling a class action lawsuit PLEASE let me know! TAX MASTERS IS A SCAM DO NOT USE!!!!!
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2 comments
Guest

Tax Masters has taken $2150 from my 65 yr old mother who lives on $771 per month of Social security. They did not properly fill out or complete her taxes (they were refused by the IRS) for 06' and 08 and she had already filed 07 and 09.

She paid them in Dec. 09 and by 10/10 she had yet to receive any of her taxes and the IRS had placed a levy on her accounts. When I got involved after she had called and called asking for their help, they said she owed additional funds and they would not give her the completed taxes until she paid an additional $500 for which she did not have. Long story short we did get the taxes but they were useless, Tax Masters showed she owed $4220 for her 06 taxes, when the IRS only showed $991, and Tax Masters told her they would make it where she owed NOTHING at all.

It's one thing to take advantage of Q Public but how would Patrick Cox like it if his mother were raped by the likes of him? I am left to clean up the mess.

Luckily there are many, many options for FREE legal help to the aged and disabled (which she is both) and I plan on seeing this through to the end!! As TM moves into their new larger building and continues to grow by millions of $$ every year, I plan on doing everything I can including standing on public roadways with signs, handing out flyers, operating a web-site and anything else I can do to bring these people down!!

Guest

They currently have several class action lawsuits filed against them. One with the Texas Attorney General and the state of Pennsylvania.

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Joe G Msz

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Ukiah, California

TaxMasters; TMIRS Enterprises; Patrick Cox; Beat the Scam!

I hired Taxmasters to help deal with a minor tax issue. During the initial consult, they told me one thing. After taking my money (it was A LARGE sum of money, many thousands of dollars), their story changed completely. When confronted about the changes, Taxmasters associates began to lie. The first obvious lie came a couple days after the initial phone consult. I found out later that I was lied to during my initial phone consultation as well. After the first couple lies, I realized that I had been victimized by what is commonly known as the old 'bait and switch', wherein you are told one thing to get you to part with your money, and then you are told something else once they have your money. I terminated the contract within days of the initial phone consult, which set into motion many weeks of ordeal, in which Taxmasters fabricated outrageous, defamatory lies about me, in attempts to keep my money, amongst other tactics. During my ordeal, here are a few things I have noted: - Taxmasters associates APPEAR to operate from a script; a process designed to ensure that, no matter what, Taxmasters prevails. Examples: Taxmasters might make every attempt to get your payment BEFORE giving you a contract for review. Next, they might only speak in general terms, avoiding specifics of your finances during the initial phone consult, and later might claim that you withheld information from them; information which they did not ask for. Next, Taxmasters appears to have an orchestrated 'third-party review' process (which does not appear to me to be a REAL third-party, meaning a non-Taxmasters employee) to verify your INTENT to pay, which they then later use against you, should you attempt dispute the charges. There are many more indicators I could list, which appear to support the theory that Taxmasters associates operate in a scripted, coordinated, and/or orchestrated fashion. - Taxmasters associates seem to prefer to do business via telephone, where there are NO RECORDS of what is said. Taxmasters might then attempt to use this AGAINST you, should you end up in a dispute. Shortly after I had terminated phone call access, Taxmasters became unresponsive to direct emails sent to them. Why? Because emails generate a paper-trail; evidence which could be used against Taxmasters in any dispute. - Taxmasters contract contains many clauses which favor ONLY Taxmasters. One example, there is an 'abuse' clause which allows Taxmasters to terminate the contract and keep the funds, should Taxmasters decide to utilize it. Taxmasters COULD claim that you were abusive in a phone call, which of course is subjective because the call is not recorded, and abuse could be quantified as just about ANYTHING, including things which may not have even transpired, since phone calls are not recorded; another good reason to cease telephone contact immediately and insist all communications be in writing. - Demagoguery is truly the 'last bastion of a scoundrel'. People who resort to this type of rhetoric generally do so because they are on the wrong side on an argument. Taxmasters appears to utilize demagoguery, to distract from the REAL ISSUES at hand. If Taxmasters can create a 'straw man', an argument about your character or some other such nonsense which has no basis in fact but is highly prejudicial, they can at best case hope to prejudice objective mediators and others who might take interest in a case, and in worst case, distract them. That is, after all, the purpose of demagoguery. - Taxmasters, over a period of years, has developed quite a history, which explains itself and needs no characterization from me. Go the the BBB website (google 'BBB'), and research Taxmasters of Houston. I suggest you review the RATING and rating justification in detail, currently listed as 'unsatisfactory'. In addition, review the 'detailed view' of the Consumer Complaint History', which will show you statistics for the last 3 years. Pay particular attention to the last 12 months, and the differences between the last 12 months, and the 24 months that preceded them. Also, compare the BBB rating justification to the posts contained here on ripoffreportdotcom. You might see striking similarities. Use all of this data in any dispute you might have with Taxmasters. More data can be found through a 'google' search on Taxmasters, and the names of the prinicpals, Patrick Cox, Alex Clamon and Fred Hackett. An amusing side note, the Taxmasters website has a 'D&B Listed' logo on it; an official looking bit of fluff. Why is this there? What does it have to do with Taxmasters representing clients to the IRS? With the quality of Taxmasters as a service business? Nothing. 'Dun and Bradstreet' ratings are FINANCIAL ratings (like for investors), not quality of service ratings as issued by the BBB. Yet, it DOES look official on their website, doesn't it? D&B... BBB... see any similarities? I guess with 143 BBB complaints in the last 12 months at last count, it wouldn't pay to have a BBB link on the Taxmasters site, now would it? Taxmasters is not a BBB Accredited Business, according to the BBB website. In the end, I prevailed. I had all of my funds returned to me (not by Taxmasters, who in their last communication still maintained a right to it). Based on my own personal knowledge, from dealing with Taxmasters, I would not recommend Taxmasters to my worst enemy. If you are considering whether to hire Taxmasters, I suggest you give great weight to the BBB report, and to the reports of consumers here at ripoffreport. Also, I suggest you contact the Harris County District Attorney's Office, and speak to someone in their Consumer Fraud division, to get more knowledge. Knowledge IS power. If you already find yourself in a dispute with Taxmasters, while I cannot resolve your issue for you, here are a few friendly words (not to be taken as legal advice; consult an attorney for that): - You might want to cut off ALL telephone communications IMMEDIATELY with Taxmasters. Written communications forces honesty, and documents lies. If you wish to cut off telehone communications, do this in writing. Send copies of the notification via email, certified mail AND fax, to ensure delivery (save delivery confirmations on file). Insist that all future communications be in writing. This will force Taxmasters to take positions, and to make statements which YOU can then use against THEM. - Start a journal. Document each and every event (no matter how insignificant it might seem at the time) related remotely to your dispute, by date and time. Your journal can be used as evidence. Use it faithfully. - Open a file, and keep every scrap of paper you write or receive. Also, keep copies of whatever you find on the internet. Use all of this data as references in your dispute, and make copies to send to all the different agencies (your bank, the BBB, etc.). When you receive an email, letter or other document, annotate it with the date and time received before filing it. SAVE THE ENVELOPES! They have datestamps on them. Compare the datestamps on the envelopes you receive, to the letters inside of the envelopes, to see if letters have been pre-dated in efforts to make it appear as if they were written long ago. When you respond to communications, place a copy of your response, annotated with the date, time, and method(s) sent, into your file. - Time is critical. Do not delay in filing your disputes. Delays can and probably will be portrayed as YOUR FAULT; evidence that you approved of the direction and work of Taxmasters. Once you have reviewed your options in detail, decide which direction to go, and go there full speed ahead. - Be VERY CLEAR in your demands. Ambiguity will probably be used against you. If you wish Taxmasters to cease doing something, be specific and tell them to cease and desist. - Power of Attorney MUST be revoked in writing, should you desire to limit Taxmasters ability to continue working on your case, in contravention of your stated demands to not work. If you have previously granted them Power of Attorney, and if you wish them to stop working on your case as a result of your dispute, send them a notice revoking their Power of Attorney effective immediately, and send it via email, registered mail and fax keeping confirmations from all on file (send ALL documents or communications to Taxmasters in this manner). - File complaints with each and every agency that you can file with. Send them a full written statement, and copies of all of your collected documents on file, and reference these documents in your statement, if you are able to. Maybe write up one detailed statement with all the attachments, that you can send to each agency that you file a complaint with. Tell the whole story, from start to end. Be accurate. Be detailed. Be truthful. Be complete. Explain in detail how this has affected you personally. If you paid by credit card, file a complaint with your bank (dispute the charge). It is important to file with your bank QUICKLY. File complaints with the Harris County District Attorney and the Texas State Attorney General (contact information can be found online, and even some of the forms). File a BBB complaint online, or via phone if need be. Online is better. File a complaint at ripoffreportdotcom, to help other consumers who might have comparable issues. Try the US Attonrey General's office as well, since Taxmasters IS conducting their business across state lines. Also, if you are doing business with Taxmasters through the US Mail, you can also file complaints with the US Postal Service Postmaster General. - Be professional in ALL communications. Sarcasm is okay at times, and does serve to make points occasionally. Don't get angry however, and make statements which might hurt you later. - Carbon-copy (cc:) all of your responses to Taxmasters to every agency that you have filed complaints with, by listing them next to 'cc:' at the bottom of your email or letter. Let these people know that you are forwarding all of this to the appropriate agencies. Periodically or as need requires, send out the copies to the agencies. - Don't give up the fight. SOME companies make their money off of quantity versus quality. The more people who get discouraged and quit, the more profit is realized. SOME businesses understand this, and take this into account in their business plan; they expect to lose a few accounts, and are willing to do so in order to win in the cases that people just give up fighting. If you give up, they immediately profit. In other words, SOME companies will do no work, yet keep the money paid. It is pure profit, since they do not have to pay labor or overhead to deal with your case. Freedomfighter San Diego, California U.S.A. UPDATE: Just since I had my issue with TaxMasters at the end of last year to the early part of this year, TAXMASTERS BBB complaints have gone through the roof! TaxMasters is now rated as an F by the BBB. This is the LOWEST SCORE POSSIBLE! You can view the report here: http://www.bbb.org/houston/business-reviews/taxes-consultants-and-representatives/taxmasters-in-houston-tx-6000****/ Use the BBB reports on TAXMASTERS in your credit card disputes. This score in indicative of a company which simply doesn't care about how the world views its questionable operating practices. Remember, file your credit card disputes promptly... as soon as possible after you realize you have been ripped off. You can file, in most cases, via telephone, and later send in a complete dispute in writing. Filing quickly is very important in order to get the fraudulent charges reversed. UPDATE: TaxMasters has apparently felt the pinch of our complaints to ripoffreportdotcom, (((ROR REDACTED))), and to the BBB. Instead of just addressing the complaints, and perhaps modifying their business ethics and processes, thhey have decided to hire a 'marketing' consultant(s) to deal with these complaints. They are not assaulting the internet with bogus websites, containing a page filled with propaganda about how they (TaxMasters) are victims of tax evaders who like to complain. I have also seen them try to explain away their low BBB rating on some of these pages. The goal here is to submit SO MANY pages to the search engines, using search terms like 'taxmasters +fraud' and other such combinations, in order to limit how many consumers see the REAL complaint sites, like ripoffreport and complaintsboard. Honest companies do not need to flood the internet. Honest businesses just do business honestly. They have no problems. Business has been carried out in this manner for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Businesses that resort to the these types of tactics do so for a reason. They aren't honest brokers. They NEED an advantage, since word of mouth is bad. Beware of FAT MEN bearing gifts.
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8 comments
Guest

tax masters is a rip off. they took my money 3000.00 and nothing for me when they were contacted they always wanted more money.

please do not get riped off by Patrick Cox. :cry

Guest

THAT FAT *** AND HIS TAX MASTERS CREW COST ME OVER 70,000 IN ADDITIONAL PENALTIES AND INTEREST ON TOP OF THE NEARLY 10,000 I GAVE THEN TO DO NOTHING EXCEPT WASTE MY TIME AND LIE.WHEN I HAVE TIME I WILL GO INTO DETAINS. THEY DONT HELP YOU WITH YOUR TAX PROBLEMS THEY CAUSE MORE, MUCH MORE PROBLEMS.. LIKE ALL MY PROPERTY IN NOW HAS LIENS ON THEM.

SCREWED ME SO BAD.

Greg F Weo

I just got through my tax nightmare! I had a consultation with Tax Masters and handing over a ridiculous amount of money was our next step with some very hefty promises.

This made me very uneasy. Thank goodness too. I avoided this company by doing research before deciding on someone to represent me. The problem is they take your money before getting a clear picture on your situation with the IRS.

Companies like Tax Relief Foundation conduct an investigation first. This is the only honest way to conduct business in this arena. Both you and your representation should have realistic expectations before fully committing.

I would recommend Tax Relief Foundation to my parents. Now that says a lot.

justine h Due

pleae tell me how you did it. I was also rippd off and I don't know where to start.

I gave them my whole pell grant up front and now I have no money. i woul appreciate ny help you can give me

Guest

TAXMASTERS REFUND POLICY

Below is/was TaxMasters refund policy, as stated by Alex Clamon (VP of TaxMasters). I used this quote in my dispute against TaxMasters. After I successfully disputed their claims using this quote, the page containing this quote was taken down. Apparently, according to numerous websites, TaxMasters has been actively pursuing owners of websites which might portray TaxMasters in a negative light. I have seen many sites come down in the last 6 months.

Alex Clamon, posted on 29Dec2007 at 3:31pm:

"My staff and I have responded to each and every contact we have received. I am not interested in airing a client or a prospects dirty laundry about their IRS problems on the internet. However if someone chooses tto lie in this venue I will publish the recorded portion of the phone conversation where they agreed to pay the fee. I did not receive emails mentioned here by "Chris".

In response to Dale - I did get an email dated the 23rd. I did respond to it. Dale acknowledged that response and I have acted as promised, despite his slander. I did not get an email on the 13th. This refund request is slated for a review board meeting early next week. This has all been communicated separately. I would not normally make even the nature of any communications with a client public, but I did not choose this forum, and for his own reasons Dale has chosen not to be a client.

I would like to elaborate on what exactly our refund policy is at this time. First it is spelled out clearly in our contract and that always prevails. We do observe a 3 day rescission rule. That means if someone decides to cancel for any reason within the first 3 days of hiring us, we issue a refund. It might not happen that day, but it will happen. No one requires this of us. It is of our choosing.

Where we have already done the work, this would not be the case. This is the nature of our business, that our clients are in crisis, and sometimes the work has to proceed immediately. When you owe the IRS money, people with Badges and Guns are likely to become involved. In some cases, our clients are even being investigated for serious criminal matters. A small percentage of our customer base intends for us to do the work and to not pay us, or the IRS. We cannot tell who this client is upfront. This requires us to be paid prior to completing the work.

In all cases we make absolutely sure someone intends to hire us including using a third party to verify the transaction. All that being said we still have a self imposed 3 day rescission. This is my commitment to being completely sure that no one takes advantage of the great trust that our client places in us.

Best Regards,

Alex Clamon, VP

TaxMasters

alex.clamon@***.com "

8)

Guest

Never mind, I just realized that you have the same info as I do from our mutual friend Kim.

I am posting in to many sites.

Guest

Please contact me I have new information regarding Tax Master. ahyesiam@***l(dot)com

Guest

Thanks for the detailed and well written tip. I was going to call them for assistance, but now... uh uh no way!

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rsheaf
map-marker Livingston, New Jersey

TaxMasters took my money and did not perform

I fell for their adds heard on O'Reilly's TV and radio shows. I had a few years of unfiled returns and learned an IRS Revenue Officer was trying to get in contact with me. Needless to say, I became quite fearful. So, what did I do-I contacted TaxMasters to help me. When I called them on 10/26/09, I spoke with a tax consultant who advised me not to contact the IRS officer and told me he would email me their Engagement Agreement and power of attorney forms to sign and send back so that they could contact the IRS on my behalf. After signing and emailing the forms back, they immediately debited my bank account for $1,920 as the down payment toward a total bill of $5,750.00. This amount seemed quite high but I signed the agreement out of desperation-thinking they were going to help me. A little over a week later I received a letter, along with some forms to fill out, from TM. The letter was dated 11/03/09. One of the enclosed form was a 433a packet with instructions to, "...[P]lease fill it out and return it to our offices on or after 1/22/2010. The other forms were for information for the unfiled tax return years, a supplemental agreement for two additional tax years and an invoice for another $400.00 to prepare the returns. While in the process of filling out the forms, I received a letter dated 10/29/09 from the IRS on 11/10/09. The letter stated that unless I pay the amount owed, make alternative arrangements to pay, or provide additional information within 30 days from the date of the letter, further collection will be taken. Upon receipt of the letter, I called the TM consultant, left a voice-mail message, and then emailed a copy of the letter to him. I presumed the letter was passed along to the right person and that my interests were protected. That was not the case because on 11/25/09 I learned that a commission check I was expecting, from the agency I work through, had been levyed by the IRS. I immediately called TM and left several voice mail messages and got an email response on 11/30/09 indicating they would have someone from operations call me that day. I finally spoke with one of their attorneys, Tyler Deck, on 12/02/09, who said unless I become compliant by filing all unfiled returns, he could not get the levy removed. I asked him if he had spoken with the revenue officer to which he replied he hadn't. I told him I had prepared all of the returns and would file them, which I did on 12/07/09 at the local IRS office. I dropped off copies of the filed returns to TM on 12/08/09. I made numerous follow up phone calls to Mr. Deck only to leave unreturned voice mail messages. When I finally spoke with Mr. Deck, he said he would call the IRS to let them know I filed the returns. Then on 12/10/09 another commission check was levied. Again, I tried to contact Mr. Deck leaving numerous messages for him to call. Finally, I learned he was out of the office until after the holidays. I was able to contact another person in operations, on 12/28/09, who had me sign more power of attorney forms so he could talk to the IRS. After signing and returning the forms, I did not hear from anyone at TM. So, on 01/06/10 I contacted the IRS revenue officer who told me the file had been transferred to the local office. He also told me the only contact he had with TM was a voice-mail message from Mr. Deck, whom he called back and left a message. The revenue officer told me the only reason the levy was filed was due to no response to his 10/29/09 letter. He suggested I go to the local IRS office to see if my case has been assigned. I did this on 01/14/10 and spoke with a revenue officer who was very helpful in assisting me with developing a plan of action to resolve my tax debt. Actually, I learned more in 20 minutes with the IRS than I did in 3 months with TM. So, on 1/26/10 I delivered a termination letter to the TM office and spoke with a supervising consultant, Mr. McCallister (who by the way offered me a job as one of their consultants). I explained the issues I had and he intimated there have been similar problems with Mr. Deck. In my letter I cited the reason for terminating their services was for lack of performance and was also requesting reimbursement of the some $3,100 ($1,200 of which was for tax return preparation) I paid in fees. He said he would pass my letter along and I would be hearing from a Jeff Welch. When I did not hear from Mr. Welch, I called him several times, leaving voice mail messages that were never responded to. So, I paid another visit to TM on 2/01/10 and met with Dewayne Logan, their Quality Assurance Director. He told me they were investigating the matter and would let me know the outcome in the next several days. After not hearing from anyone at TM after leaving messages for Logan and Welch, I again went to TM on 2/05/10. I met with Jeff Welch, a man very small in stature, who listened to my quick summary of my concerns and then proceeded to tell they will not be refunding any of the fees they collected from me and that I should leave. I pointed out the agreement I signed stipulates, "If Client has paid more than the minimum fee...a refund will be paid." I asked him what is the minimum then. He again stated he doesn't care what the agreement says, I was not getting any of my money back. I requested to speak to the office manager and was told that was not going to happen. I then calmly insisted I be allowed to speak with the manager. Mr. Welch got up and left the room, I thought to get the manager. (Here's where it gets really interesting) He returned in about five minutes with a policeman to have me escorted from the building. So, it is quite apparent to me from everything I've read about TaxMasters and my personal experience, they are nothing more than a "mill" that preys upon those of us needing help with tax problems. I've been in their office which has an entire floor of the building filled with tax consultants, who are nothing more than trained salespeople. They take your money and essentially ignore you until you reach a point where you become so frustrated you either terminate the agreement and go to a legitimate tax professional or try to take care of the problem yourself. In my case, I had already prepared my returns, but was still charged a fee by TM to prepare the returns. I also learned that in most cases the IRS is willing to work with a taxpayer to resolve any tax issues. I will do whatever I can to see that this doesn't happen to others. I have started the process of filing complaints with every government agency that may have jurisdiction over TaxMasters unscrupulous practices.
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8 comments
Guest

Tax masters was taking money out of my account, after paying them $1,200 i got layed off from my job and call and ask them to stop taking money from my account. I was told that no more money would be takin out!

a few days later they took $500 out of my back! I call them and they said they can't stop it coming out of my account with a phone call it would have to be in writing! I asked if i can cancel my contract over the phone they said yes! REALLY!

I can cancel my contract but can't but a hold on taking my money! they told me $3,500 total to do my tax's and they wanted to give them $250 more for some years i wanted to clam!

They sent me all kinds of paper work that confused me! :( I need to find a lawyer!

Guest

Tax Masters has taken $2150 from my 65 yr old mother who lives on $771 per month of Social security. They did not properly fill out or complete her taxes (they were refused by the IRS) for 06' and 08 and she had already filed 07 and 09.

She paid them in Dec. 09 and by 10/10 she had yet to receive any of her taxes and the IRS had placed a levy on her accounts. When I got involved after she had called and called asking for their help, they said she owed additional funds and they would not give her the completed taxes until she paid an additional $500 for which she did not have. Long story short we did get the taxes but they were useless, Tax Masters showed she owed $4220 for her 06 taxes, when the IRS only showed $991, and Tax Masters told her they would make it where she owed NOTHING at all.

It's one thing to take advantage of Q Public but how would Patrick Cox like it if his mother were raped by the likes of him? I am left to clean up the mess. Luckily there are many, many options for FREE legal help to the aged and disabled (which she is both) and I plan on seeing this through to the end!! As TM moves into their new larger building and continues to grow by millions of $$ every year, I plan on doing everything I can including standing on public roadways with signs, handing out flyers, operating a web-site and anything else I can do to bring these people down!!

PS: my mother told the TM associate that she didn't know what to do short of committing suicide...guess what? They don't CARE!!!

Guest

Complete scam. When I questioned the risk/reward in spending $4,750 to *potentially* have a $15,000 IRS bill negotiated to $3,000, after I have already been denied an OIC, I was told "oh, since your in state without an income tax we could reduce our fee to $2,750..." huh?

I repeatedly asked on what basis they would make an appeal to IRS to reduce my balance, since OIC didn't work, and I have been told by a local Tax Attorney that I had no hope of reduction, but never got any answer...Silly me still held onto a sliver of hope and requested an agreement be sent over for review via email....And nothing.

Guess they hold out for more inexperience fish.

Guest

We contracted with Tax Masters last August when received a notice of past due taxes. We were fearful of what the IRS would do, and so, since Tax Masters "seemed" like a reputable firm, we hired them (we should have checked them out first!). Long story short, they took our money, did NOTHING and we still had to settle directly with the IRS (who were far more helpful and competent than Tax Masters).

Patrick R. Cox, the founder and president of this firm, is a graduate of Texas A&M University (1986). One would think that during his time there he would have taken to heart the Aggie Code of Honor, which states "An Aggie will not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those that do." This firm lacks the integrity that is associated with this honor code. As another Former Student of Texas A&M, I will not tolerate this man or Tax Masters, and I will steer everyone I know away from them.

I am now in the process of filing complaints against this firm with the appropriate legal entities.

Guest

I too have been ripped off by these scammers! In December of 08 I contacted TM, also out of fear having received a threatening letter from IRS on several missed year's returns.

I got the packet from TM several days after my $2500 bucks was plucked from my account. I faxed all filled-in documents to TM as instructed and waited-nothing for 3 weeks. A follow up call to their vm got a return call requesting my Power of Attorney form. I immediately re-faxed this form and waited-again, nothing.

I received a letter from the State tax folks and forwarded it to TM-nothing-numerous calls later I got a return call requesting another copy of my Power of Attorney-I am seeing a pattern now.

I won't bore you with the additional follow ups-it is now March of 2010, I have paid another $2500 to a local attorney and I have been counseled that the money I gave TM was a non-refundable fee and is not performance-based-according to their contract I signed. In other words, I might as well have taken the money out and burned it.

Save your money, deal with a local attorney. I contacted the BBB in Houston Texas and was informed that TM has more complaints than can be counted.

Guest

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@***.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

(504) 234-****

Guest

It is interesting to see that even with a F rating from the BBB TaxMasters continues to thrive. They have currently moved into a larger facility 100,000 square feet, are now publicly traded, claim sales increases of over 442% the past 3 years and still appear to be recommended by Bill O'Reily and Dennis Miller of Fox News. This all makes sense seeing that we live live in the USA - United Scammers Association.

Maybe there is someone out there that is happy with the services performed by TaxMasters, but in my opinion they may have been grossly overcharged for services they could have performed themselves.

Please heed the BBB's warnings and stay clear of TaxMasters. If you do decide to use TaxMasters make sure you do not pay them one cent until they have performed the services that have been requested. I bet they hang up on you!

Guest

we just got scamed by them to i hope everyone sues them and takes them off commercials .

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sialorboy
map-marker Plainville, Massachusetts

TaxMaster—Unethical Business Practices

I called TaxMaster to see how they could help me with the amount thaty I owe the IRS. I call them and got a fast taking sales rep--they call them Tax Consultant. The charge was going to be $3,000. She work out payment plan. I got the contract after the call. I did not sign it and told the so!! I have emailed & called the sales rep and billing dept. to get a credit. Most of TaxMasters life has been on "hold". No credit yet. This has be going on since March!! Bottom line: TaxMaster--- Unethical Business Practices!!!!
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vincent R Kim
map-marker Los Alamitos, California

AVOID BEING SCAMMED!!

Tax Masters led me to believe that for 5+ months they had been in contact with the IRS helping me to get my interested and penalties lowered. I paid them upwards of $3000. I had a hard time getting them to return my phones calls or emails, and the few times I was able to get in touch with someone, they assured me they were taking care of everything. Wasn't I surprised when I had a knock at my door and found a man whom had a certified letter from the IRS stating they are going to take action, drain my accounts, come after my home, etc...everyone's worst nightmare. I ended up finding settlewiththeirs.info WHO ACTUALLY HELPED ME. (with no BS up front fees BTW) If you are still dealing with a tax issue please contact them877-517-****. Do NOT trust Tax MASTERS! THEY DID NOTHING BUT ROB ME OF $3000 AND GET ME INTO MORE TROUBLE AND DEBT THAN I WAS ALREADY IN. PLEASE DO NOT FALL VICTIM AS I DID.
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1 comment
Guest

They have several class action law suits against them, you should become apart of them, especially the one with the Texas Attorney General. Google Greg Abbott Law suit against TaxMasters and find out how to become apart of it.

vincent R Kim
map-marker Los Alamitos, California

AVOID BEING SCAMMED!!

Tax Masters led me to believe that for 5+ months they had been in contact with the IRS helping me to get my interested and penalties lowered. I paid them upwards of $3000. I had a hard time getting them to return my phones calls or emails, and the few times I was able to get in touch with someone, they assured me they were taking care of everything. Wasn't I surprised when I had a knock at my door and found a man whom had a certified letter from the IRS stating they are going to take action, drain my accounts, come after my home, etc...everyone's worst nightmare. I ended up finding settlewiththeirs.info WHO ACTUALLY HELPED ME. (with no BS up front fees BTW) If you are still dealing with a tax issue please contact them877-517-****. Do NOT trust Tax MASTERS! THEY DID NOTHING BUT ROB ME OF $3000 AND GET ME INTO MORE TROUBLE AND DEBT THAN I WAS ALREADY IN. PLEASE DO NOT FALL VICTIM AS I DID.
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1 comment
Guest

Tax Masters has taken $2150 from my 65 yr old mother who lives on $771 per month of Social security. They did not properly fill out or complete her taxes (they were refused by the IRS) for 06' and 08 and she had already filed 07 and 09.

She paid them in Dec. 09 and by 10/10 she had yet to receive any of her taxes and the IRS had placed a levy on her accounts. When I got involved after she had called and called asking for their help, they said she owed additional funds and they would not give her the completed taxes until she paid an additional $500 for which she did not have. Long story short we did get the taxes but they were useless, Tax Masters showed she owed $4220 for her 06 taxes, when the IRS only showed $991, and Tax Masters told her they would make it where she owed NOTHING at all.

It's one thing to take advantage of Q Public but how would Patrick Cox like it if his mother were raped by the likes of him? I am left to clean up the mess. Luckily there are many, many options for FREE legal help to the aged and disabled (which she is both) and I plan on seeing this through to the end!!

As TM moves into their new larger building and continues to grow by millions of $$ every year, I plan on doing everything I can including standing on public roadways with signs, handing out flyers, operating a web-site and anything else I can do to bring these people down!!

They caused my mother to cry and even consider suicide as an option!

Anonymous
map-marker Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Scammed me out of $1600

Tax Masters are nothing but a bunch of scam artist and they are very good at it. My husband and I own a small Deli and with or Change in our government the economy has been poor and our business has suffered. I could pay my 6 employees, buy product to sell OR pay taxes, I paid what I could on taxes but unfortunatly I got behind, well Uncle Sam won't deal with you and I got threats of being guarnished and all kinds of wonderful stuff, I panicked and this beautiful comercial came on...Let tax masters help you...blah, blah, blah. I fell for it hook line and sinker. They got what tiny amount of money I had and I got screwed!!!!!! Didn't even get kissed first. They promised to help and my business would be fine. LIES, I got shut down for 6 days till I robbed Peter AND Paul to get back tax money to get opened. Int the mean time, I had bills to pay and no income comming in. Have you ever tried to pay bills with no income? It seems Uncle Sam can't figure out that if you have no income you have no "out come". Tax Masters will do NOTHING but take your money and then LAUGH at you. PLEASE do not involve yourself in them!!!!!
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2 comments
Guest

Why not file a class action suit?

Guest

I had a very similar experience. it seems that the IRS doesn't have a shred of logic when it comes to back taxes.

And JK Lies to you up front when they say they can help and then charge a fee. If you put it on a credit card do a charge back! you can get your money back almost immediately!

If you still have tax problems here is the number to a tax firm: 877-517-**** ask for Dave.

they are an accounting firm that does taxes for businesses. they might be able to help.

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Cerys Pfg
map-marker Fort Lauderdale, Florida

I work for a competitor

I am tired of hearing from US citizens every day, after their paycheck is garnished and bank accounts emptied that they hired TaxMasters or JK Harris to handle their issues and how they were ripped off. Everyone I work with says the same thing! I see the Texas Attorney General has charged them with fraud and that Tax Masters has agreed to clean up their act. Wrong I called Tax Masters myself and they lied to me on every occasion. Everything from telling me the IRS will reduce my debt by 75% a lie, and they could do an offer in compromise. Do not believe their lies. TaxMasters Attorney is a reservist going back to war and they are really proud of him. I am a vet myself and if I worked for such a thieving company I would go back to war myself instead of stealing from hard working people everyday. He should remember that all an officer has going for him is integrity and working for TaxMasters shows he has none!!!!
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Anonymous
map-marker Denver, Colorado

Stole funds checking into irs 30,000+

TM's mislead me into thinking I'd get full service for flat sum, came back for additional money to resolve back taxes. Declinded all futher services, informed them not to withdraw any funds from account. Called them to insure they would not withdraw money's. They did, went 2500.00 in hole instantly, plus Irs & State had no give, now 30,000.00 in hole to them, guess how long it'll take to pay that, no chance at better life now, interest, penities. Would like to file charges, wrote to houston texas atty gen. basicly said they could not help to file charges against tax masters, I'd have to this own, which I had no money for. looking to find class action suit to sign up with. Attho contact me e-mail j4j25@***.com
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2 comments
Guest

They already have a class action lawsuit filed against them, by the Texas Attorney General. Contact the Texas AG and file a complaint and become apart of the suit. I know someone that just did this.

Guest

Contact the Texas Attorney General, he already has a class action law suit filed against TaxMasters.

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sandra s Vqm
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

Garrett a. pichon employee of tax masters

This person garrett a. pichon stole my money from my checking account after I cancelled tax master service within a 24 hour period, after, I never signed a contract with these people, thank god my bank reverse the money back into my account.I spoke to garrett a. pichon on 04/27/2010 a my tax issues, agreed to the service, but after talking to a friend about the situration, I decided to wait a reseach other companies,I called garrett a. pichon to cancel the service he debited my account on the same day. I called the company min. 15 times no one would talk to me about the situration . I could not talk to garrett a. pichon. This taxmasters is unreal
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Loss:
$500
8 comments
Garrett P Oly

Garret A Pichon received a verbal commitment to both bill and draft the documents that spell out to a client what payment plan has been agreed upon and the initial down payment (whether declined or was successful)........... this is protocol.

Garrett P Oly

I checked the notes in the system and based on the protocol of this company as soon as a person gives a verbal commitment the sales assistant runs the card or check per the clients agreement! You obviously gave permission on recorded lines which is uploaded in the system to your file.

Do not give billing information out and don't tell someone that you want them to start the work today if you have not decided on moving forward. I am by no means an advocate of TaxMasters. However when some bitter person defames me and only one side is heard you always seem right.

In this case with Garret A. Pichon you are telling a half truth.

Guest

Wow! This stuff is great!

Someone did something right. I used to see the TaxMasters TV commercials all the time but they've been missing from the airwaves for quite some time...at least I haven't seen any.

Please tell me that's a good sign and they are gone for good. The next one should be JK Harris.

Guest

Current employee. Customer files were out in the hallway for three days.

There is construction going on and anyone could have taken the files. Tax Masters is a total sweatshop. Clients cannot come into our facility. Managment tells us to tell clients fax documents in.

Clients your files are lost. In customer service they are all 19 to 25 with no education. Just long nails and hair weaves. This is what you all pay for.

Tax Masters is not finally trying to get things together because of the lawsuit. Bull *** Tax Masters needs to be shut down. It is easy to pay a couple of fines when millions of dollars have been stolen. I hope you all stay aware.

Tax Masters is not even paying our insurance premiums however money is still coming out of our checks. Michell Perry is a manager who is ***. When emails are send internally she does not click on the red lines to correct spelling. She received the management position by buying gifts for Jayna Murphy White.

Jayna is a manager there that is 24 and her mother works their in tax prep. If you all were to see these animals you would not trust a penny with them. All employees have sisters, husbands, spouses, and parents that all work there. That should tell what employees like me are going throught.

Clients you have it easy compared to what employees go through. Lets work to get Tax Masters closed down!!!! If you want more internal information contact me and I will blow the whistle.

You guys do not have a clue about tax masters. Be aware...all blogs are true about Tax Masters

Guest

Current employee. Customer files were out in the hallway for three days.

There is construction going on and anyone could have taken the files. Tax Masters is a total sweatshop. Clients cannot come into our facility. Managment tells us to tell clients fax documents in.

Clients your files are lost. In customer service they are all 19 to 25 with no education. Just long nails and hair weaves. This is what you all pay for.

Tax Masters is not finally trying to get things together because of the lawsuit. Bull *** Tax Masters needs to be shut down. It is easy to pay a couple of fines when millions of dollars have been stolen. I hope you all stay aware.

Tax Masters is not even paying our insurance premiums however money is still coming out of our checks. Michell Perry is a manager who is ***. When emails are send internally she does not click on the red lines to correct spelling. She received the management position by buying gifts for Jayna Murphy White.

Jayna is a manager there that is 24 and her mother works their in tax prep. If you all were to see these animals you would not trust a penny with them. All employees have sisters, husbands, spouses, and parents that all work there. That should tell what employees like me are going throught.

Clients you have it easy compared to what employees go through. Lets work to get Tax Masters closed down!!!! If you want more internal information contact me and I will blow the whistle.

You guys do not have a clue about tax masters. Be aware...all blogs are true about Tax Masters

Guest

There is now a Houston law firm pursuing suits on behalf of consumers nationwide who have been deceived by TaxMasters. For more information visit:

www.taxmastersclassaction.com

Guest

I am a current employee and we are trained to lie. Jayna Murphy White is a 24 year old uneducated girl who trains us to lie.

She is led by VP of OPS Renee Miller who is behind the scences of the scandal. Dont sign up with Tax Masters.

Guest

TaxMasters Update

On May 13, 2010 the Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, charged TaxMasters out of Houston Texas with violating the state's deceptive practices act. The Florida Attorney General's Office is also investigating TaxMasters over alleged deceptive business practices. It can be assured that other States will join in on the investigation of TaxMasters.

It appears that justice will finally be served on Patrick Cox and his unethical business "TaxMasters". Please thank Dennis Miller, Bill O'Rielly, Glen Beck, CNN, Fox News and a host of other media outlets for ignoring all of their viewers warnings about TaxMasters.

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Anonymous
map-marker Plano, Texas

Misled the consumer

Tax Masters is not worthy to operate as a company in Houston or the US. They are not in serious trouble with the Tx State Attorney's office for misleading and using deceptive business practices. The court had an injunction against them and now they must practice business as the court dictates, which will reduce their profits. So, don't be surprised if something else deceptive comes up next. Pat Cox is a worthless CEO. He should be working to improve his "F" rating with the BBB and make it right for the consumer and stop deceiving and stealing from the customers he advertises he can help. What a crock!
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Loss:
$80
1 comment
Guest

Unfortunately TaxMasters will probably be fined a few million dollars for their deceptive trade practices and continue to operate as a profit generating Company.

None of those scammed out of thousands of dollars will receive anything more then penny's on the dollar from the current class action lawsuit filed by Greg Abbott,

Texas Attorney General, on May 13, 2010.

It is the American way. It sucks but still the best place to be on this planet.

USA=United Scammers Association.

If you have tax issues contact the IRS. They are far more honest with much better qualifications then anyone at TaxMasters.

Anonymous
map-marker Houston, Texas

Tax masters is the worst

Tax Masters in not only ripping of the clients, Tax Masters is ripping off their employees. Ever since the law suit the bonus and overtime has been taking awaying. Tax Masters clients I feel sorry for you because you all think something is being done and it is not. You will never get to speak with the same rep. When you ask for a manager you would most likey speak with Janey Murphy White which is horrible. She is a 24 year girl straight out of the ghetto with a GED. She is handling your case. If you do not believe me just facebook Jayna True Dive Murphy White: The name speaks for itself. Do not use tax masters. Our insurance premious are not even being cover. Where is the money going. Tax Masters needs to be shut down asap
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Loss:
$8000
1 comment
Guest

AND you are just as Ghetto as the people you are accusing. YOU need an education also and you have no class either. You are a low-life.

Starlin Klj
map-marker Gig Harbor, Washington

Tax Masters Are Frauds!

Tax Masters are frauds! My boyfriend hired them to help with taxes and wasn't satisfied with the service so he sent them a letter telling them they were more or less fired! Well after several attempts to call them and never getting a call back he was sent a letter saying they would'nt give him a refund! Although the contract stated he could get a refund if he was dissatisfied. They screwed him out of $4000 and only had 1 20 minutes conference call with the IRS! What a bunch of DOPES! I hope they get SUED!Buttholes!
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Loss:
$4
3 comments
Guest

There is now a Houston law firm pursuing suits on behalf of consumers nationwide who have been deceived by TaxMasters. For more information visit:

www.taxmastersclassaction.com

Guest

This industry is filled with too many complaints against representatives. For years I've been telling people to hire a professionally licensed CPA or law firm.

Having over 25 years of experience in dealing with the IRS and solving people's tax problems, I'm saddened to see that there are so many people that are falling prey to the many scams and unethical practices going around in this business. The best advice I can give to anyone that is having tax problems is to do your research before taking action. First you need to understand your tax problem and what your options are, then, if you decide to hire a professional or a firm to solve your problem, you should do some background checks on them before you hire them; regardless of who recommended them to you, or where you've heard from them, you should always check them out.

To anyone having tax problems, I recommend you visit www.TaxProblem.org and read up on all the advice available there, it will help you better understand the depth of the situation you are in, and point out what the available options are.

You should also check out the section about selecting tax advisors which details a couple of good things you should do before hiring someone in order to protect yourself from scams. www.TaxProblem.org

Guest

I agree they need to be sued. They just took me for $9,750.00 and I received the same letter.

I am in the process of disputing it with my credit card.

If that fails I will be suing them. TaxMasters is a fraud stay away!!!!

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