Tax Masters review: Horrible Negligent Service 84

Tax Masters took our money, set up a hearing with the IRS and then NEVER represented us ! we'd leave TONS of messages and no call returns. passed around from case worker to case worker.

We told them because they failed us at the IRS hearing after the IRS said they had NO record of Tax Masters representing us, no power of attorney, they were going to levey our property.. Tax Masters said they'd take care of it and they did'nt. Thank God we had someone do it for us just in time before we lost our home, money and business. Unprofessional and unethical people there.

We have filed a formal complaint w/BBB of Houston and the Harris County DA, who has a open investigation for consumer fraud.

April 18, 2008

I fully agree with your comments and had a similar horrible experience with TaxMasters and Patrick Cox, its President, in Houston.

The Perfect Rip-off by TaxMasters of Houston -- A Complaint Against TAX MASTERS of Houston Experienced by a Deeply Disgruntled and Ripped Off Customer of TaxMasters

1. They sign you up to do tax advisory services then don to the work

2. You get so frustrated with them not doing the work, and getting hassled by the IRS you end up doing the work your self to resolve things with the IRS

3. You ask for a refund and they say since you already resolved the case and dismissed them, there is nothing more for them to do, but they charge you anyway and say it was not their fault you resolved the case yourself.

4. You complain to your Credit Card Company to have the charges to TaxMaster reversed, but they say they're not there to resolve disputes over services, and since there is a signed contract its hard for them to say that the charges are fraudulent.

5. In end, you are likely to get no help or refund or reversal of charges by your credit card company, and no refund from TaxMasters in Houston.

As you can see, a Perfect Rip-off, and TaxMasters is laughing all the way to the Bank.

MY CASE AGAINST TAXMASTERS of HOUSTON

To: Whom it May Concern:

From: A Deeply Disgruntled Customer of TaxMasters of Houston

Re: Complaint about TaxMasters Services and Suit for Refund of over $9, 000 in Payments made to TaxMasters but Services were NOT Provided by TaxMasters

A. MY COMPLAINT about TAXMASTERS and MY CHALLENGE TO HAVE CHARGES ON MY CREDIT CARD BY TAXMASTERS REFUNDED BACK TO MY CREDIT CARD

I contacted My Credit Card Company in February of 2008 to have charges on my Credit Card by Tax Masters in November and December of 2007 and January of 2008 reversed due to the failure of TaxMasters to provide the services I engaged them to do - in fact the little service they did provide on the 4 services I engaged them to do were completely shoddy despite my efforts to get them to do the work, they didn't do the work they were hired to do and I was forced to fire them for cause from doing any further work on my case.

Bottom line: except for 1 of the 4 Services they were engaged to provide they did not provide the services (note: for that 1 service costing $750 as pointed out in the engagement Agreement but I more than paid them for that with payments to them on my Credit Card totaling $2250 at the end of October, 2007 and I am not disputing that $750 payment with My Credit Card Company).

Due to their negligence or incompetency (I am not sure which it is) in doing the work required at the initial stage of the project, I was forced to fire TaxMasters before they ever got started on the 3 of the services they might have eventually done, but in fact never did do these 3 services. I more than paid them for the work they did do in the initial stage (the IRS Consultation), but since they did not ever do the other 3 services I should not be under any obligation to pay them for work they never did, and I will challenge them to the fullest extent of the law to have then REFUND the charges they put on my Credit Card or have my Credit Card Company reverse the charges.

B. DISAGREEMENT WITH THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY RESOLUTION:

I sent several letters in mid-February showing Tax Masters rationale for putting such charges on my account, an Agreement I signed with them whereby they agreed to provide consultation to me and to negotiate a resolution of a tax dispute I was having with the Internal Revenue Service.

I agree that I engaged TaxMasters to provide consultation and negotiation services, but except for one initial item they NEVER PROVIDED the SERVICES. They did do 3 of the services they were hired to do, and after endless frustration with them not doing the work, I FIRED them FOR CAUSE from the CASE before they ever got to work on the 3 additional services (again, see my email to the President of Tax Masters whereby I dismissed them from the Case).

The Agreement I signed with TaxMasters required them to provide 4 Services (copied from Agreement word for word below); however, they did not all the Services, and since they did not do the 3 of the 4 Services and abide by their contractual obligations in the Agreement, I should not be obligated pay the fees due to breach of contract.

This agreement will also provide the minimum retainer for the services to be provided by Firm. Client agrees that Firm may alter the total reflected on the agreement below in the event of addition errors observed later. Such adjustment will be reflected pro-rata in any installments. Installment Arrangements, if any, are outlined in the attached schedule. The services to be rendered are described in the attached pages that are incorporated herein by reference.
RETAINER
Negotiated Settlement (OIC/PPIA/IA/UNC): $ 4500.00
Wage Garnishment Release or Reduction $ 1500.00
Lien Subordination $
ACS Collections Case $
Revenue Officer or Revenue Agent $2500.00(RO / RA / TC)
Income Tax Returns (Form: ) $ Years:
All returns must be filed before work can proceed. Assumes W-2 only, and no compilation of records.
Income Tax Audit or Audit Appeal $
Corporate Formation $
IRS Consultation Fee $ 750.00 (Trans - SP)
Installment Agreement or Uncollectable $
Total $ 9250.00

C. AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES VS. ACTUAL SERVICES PROVIDED:

3 of the 4 Services to be Provided by TaxMaster vs Actual Work Done - BOTTOM LINE, these Services were NEVER DONE by TaxMaster.

" Revenue Officer or Revenue Agent $2500.00(RO / RA / TC) - establish communication with Officer or Agent to establish a process and timeline to work through my case by way of discussions and negotiations with the Agent or Officer.
Actual Work Done - SERVICE NEVER got STARTED and was NEVER COMPLETED
Over a 3 month period the Firm failed to ever make contact with the Revenue Officer or Agent, except to leave voicemail messages with the Agent to call them. The Agent tried many times to reach TaxMasters and left countless messages but the Agents calls were not returned.

" Wage Garnishment Release or Reduction $ 1500.00 -negotiate a Wage Garnishment Release or Reduction if any existed.
Actual Work Done - SERVICE was NEVER Started or COMPLETED
As the Firm Failed over a 3 month period to even reach or speak to the Agent, they never got to a point that they could assist in the negotiation of a release or reduction of any Wage Garnishment.

" Negotiated Settlement (OIC/PPIA/IA/UNC): $ 4500.00 -
Actual Work Done - SERVICE was NEVER STARTED or COMPLETED
As the Firm Failed over a 3 month period to even reach or speak to the Agent, they never got to a point that they could assist in the negotiation of a Settlement.

D. SO HERE IS THE PROBLEM:

The Agreement refers to a retainer for the "services to be provided by the firm." There were FOUR SERVICES to be provided by the Firm, but the problem is that they only did one of them - the initial IRS Consultation (for a fee of $750). I point out however, that while they did do this one initial part of the job, they didn't even do it right. They got the wrong information on my tax filings and failed to get the information on the status of my dispute which as the head of their research group told me in January (nearly two months after the IRS Consultation) that they had failed to pull up key information on the status of my case and that if they had they should have expedited discussions with the IRS to get immediate resolution; since they failed to capture all the key information about my case they and did not expedite the case as they should have.

E. SUMMARY & CONCLUSION:

BOTTOM LINE, over the course of nearly 3 months, TaxMasters did NOT PROVIDE THREE of the FOUR SERVICES, despite constant pleas on my part for them to immediately expedite working on my case. I have dozens of emails I can provide urging them to get going on my case, but to no avail. I even contacted the President of Tax Masters to complain about the service and to encourage them to do the work they were hired to do - again to no avail, they just didn't do the work they were hired to do and provided no Refund. Then when you challenge the Credit Card company to get the charges reversed they say you signed the contract and it is no concern of theirs if they did the services or not, and because it is a service not a product there is now insurance protection from your credit card company for the negligent service by TaxMaster - insurance protection is only for products that are stolen or broken, not for services you paid for but the service was not provided.

Note, as the opportunity to negotiate and settle my dispute with the IRS in an orderly and systematic manner was lost over the time period from late October, 2007 to mid-January 2008, I simply agreed to pay and did pay the amount in dispute, and as such the amount in dispute with the IRS has been fully paid and resolved, but no thanks to TaxMasters, and in fact their delays made an orderly resolution no longer possible.

This is the most incompetent business that I have ever dealt with. They took my $1400.00 and I now have to look for other representation. Do not do business with theses people. They should be shut down by the state of Texas for misrepresenting themselves as a viable solution to anyone’s tax problems. Don’t be fooled by that tidy and very business looking web site. The organization and skill set of the people who work there as a whole is dysfunctional at best.

I was taken for $4, 000 by Taxmasters and still was levied for everything I had. I resolved the problem with the IRS myself. Basically what I was told was that once you are duped into signing the contract they get your money despite the incompetence. I filed complaints with the BBB, TX and Harris Co Attorneys General, the IRS and wrote both of my senators. Companies like this are not regulated, licensed, or held accountable to any board or government standards and that is ridiculous. The Senate needs to drag them in front of a hearing committee and be held accountable for their fraud. J K Harris has even more complaints for misrepresentation. All these companies need to be held accountable. The more of us that complain to the consumer groups and credit cards, the better our chances of stopping others from going through our pain.

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.

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 !

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 . . . .

Tax Masters took $500.00 out of my checking account with out my consent, no contract either written or verbal. Registered letters, even their lawyer Fred said he advised Patrick Cox to give it back. That was May of 2008 and this is October 2008. This is usually called Grand Larceny. Cox is a Texas A & M grad. or so he claims and the girl who lied to me said she was a Christian. I understand he drives a new Bentley.

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.

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

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.

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

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 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.

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

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

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Both the appearance, and the manner of speaking, of these ad's are repulsive! I'd be surprised if you get much positive response to that sort of message.
Also, these ad's appear on our TV far too often, while entirely unwelcome by everyone in our household.
If you must advertise at all, then at least replace this repulsive man with someone far more attractive, preferably a pretty young lady! [?]

NB: I suspect that the position of the man in these ad's is fairly high in your hierarchy and also, being so pompous and assertive, he may be difficult to get rid of! Someone should tell him that it is to yield!

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..

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.

In 2008 I contacted Taxmasters to ask about sevices. I was told they required a deposit, secured by credit card. I told the man I was not going ot authorized any, ANY, charges untill I consulted with wife. the estimated charges were in excess of 2K dollars, and I was not sure we could afford this, and I told the man this was the case. He said NO charges would be made, pending my approval for services. They sent me a contract, which I reviewed with care, and decided with my wife that this was indeed more than we could afford to pay. I called the man, at the number he gave me, and got answering service. Persistance payed off, as I reached a live person eventually, and informed them I would NOT be using thier services. Next month, I recieved a VISA statement showing Tax Masters had hcarged 5000 dollars to my card, and I called them to get it refunded. They refused. VISA issued thru my credit Union was informed that the charges were NOT authorized, but since I had given Tax Masters the security number off the card, it was deemed valid. Recalled tax Masters to protest, and was eventually put in contact with a Mr Charles of Finance. He agreed to refund the money, but never has to date. next month there was additional charges of 750.00 on the car, charged by Taxmasters. Following month, now third time, 750.00 charged to my card by, Tax Masters. OFrmal complaints to c?redit union resulted in credit for these 750.00 charges( three) but Tax masters refued to refund the initial $500, say ing there had been work done on my behalf. NOT SO, as I had made it clear and plain that NO work was to be done untill I had reviewed thier terms and discussed it with my wife. tax masters told me they need a letter of request to gain refund. I sent an Email, attaching the e-mail that Mr Charles had sent me. NO REFUND has been forthcoming to this day, after almost two years. My ongoing struggle with IRS continued untill I became despondent and caved in to thier demands, hastened by the lein on my SS check. It appears, from conversation with IRS, that thy have had other comlaints of wrong doing by Tax Masters, and they suggested filing with thier Consumer comlaint dept..Since I have worked for the government, as did my father, and both grandfathers, I have NO confidence in thier ability or willingness to pursue satifaction on my behalf. Everytime I see Patrick Cox touting his Tax service on TV, I get an unpleasant reaction, similar to watching the 911 attack on NY Twin Towers. PSTD so I am told. HOW can an organization continue to operate in this manner? It appears the consumer laws or regulations have way too many lophole for the weasels to slip thru. My father worked for Treasury and I have always been feaful of IRS intrution, having been audited twice, I have been even more fearful and resulting in very careful review of all tax matters. I use Turbo Tax software, HR Block to prepare taxes. My only income is from disability and SS, so it does not take a rocket scientist to figure my taxes, but it is still stressful. Tax Maters has NOT refunded the 500 dollars, has NOT done any authorized work on my behalf, and was TOLD not to do anything untill I had reviewed thier contract, which I did, and NEVER signed. BEWARE of Tax masters, as they are lawyers who are billing by the hours, so it appears. totall time on phone with Mr Charles was about five mins. at cost of 500 dollars (as the other2150 was credited to Visa).