… about “tax resolution specialists” like these guys:
Missouri AG Sues Tax Resolution Firm
Jefferson City, Mo. (Aug. 18, 2008)
By WebCPA staffThe Missouri attorney general has filed suit against tax representation chain JK Harris & Co., saying the firm did not provide the services promised to resolve its clients’ state and federal tax problems.
The Missouri lawsuit follows on the heels of a $1.5 million settlement by the chain with 18 other state attorneys general in June, and a $6 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit last year. The AG’s suit is seeking full restitution from JK Harris for Missouri customers who paid up to $4,500 for the services they did not receive.
“JK Harris promises it can help consumers who are having tax problems, but the Missourians who complained to my office told a different story – one of unreturned phone calls, lost paperwork and a worse financial situation than when they started,” said Missouri AG Jay Nixon in a statement.
A spokesman for the firm defended its practices. “JK Harris has become the nation’s largest tax resolution firm in the United States, having served over 225,000 customers since 1997 because of proven results and satisfied customers,” said a statement from Josh Baker, executive vice president of client advocacy at JKH. “Customer complaints are taken seriously at JK Harris. At this time, we have not been served with a lawsuit, nor have we read details in the complaint, so we cannot comment on any specific filings. What we can say is our customers and their satisfaction are our top priority.”
In a recent interview, CEO John K. Harris discussed the settlement with the 18 attorneys general. “No question we had some faults,” he said. “I agree that we did and we corrected all that and we are trying to lead the industry in the direction of full disclosure, honesty and integrity in the business.”
In the Missouri case, consumers complained to Nixon’s office that after they paid for debt relief services, JKH failed to follow the process it advertised in handling customer cases. Consumers also reported that they often had to resend their financial disclosure information and supporting documentation because JKH kept losing their paperwork, and they would learn that their assigned case specialists were no longer working on their files only by calling JKH for updates. Consumers who requested full refunds were denied.
Also named as a defendant in Nixon’s lawsuit was a business affiliated with JK Harris called Professional Fee Financing Associates LLC, which makes consumer credit loans as part of the JKH contract process. Nixon said PFFA’s forms fail to disclose crucial information about finance charges, payment schedules, the total number of payments and the total price that consumers will have to pay. PFFA also does not have the required certificate of registration from the Missouri Division of Finance.
Your BEST choice in resolving tax issues with the IRS and state agencies is to first see a CPA, face to face, who is experienced in dealing directly with the government.
Our Quickbooks and Excel seminar on June 12th was totally sold out (so to speak, since it was free) so we’ve decided to do it again to accommodate the folks who couldn’t get in last time. This time, we’ll be talking about Quickbooks exclusively, so that you can a solid overview of the fastest growing accounting system in the world — and get your more advanced questions and issues answered as well.
Are you new to using Quickbooks, or curious about how it can help you organize your business finances? Do you need more information about how to solve a Quickbooks problem, or how to use an area of the program you just haven’t gotten your arms around yet?
Denny & Company, LLP is offering a free, three hour seminar at our offices in Valencia on June 30, 2008, from 9 am to 12 noon.
Call Lisa Starr at 661-286-8860 or email her at lisa.starr@dennyllp.com to reserve your spot. Seating is limited, so call today!
Are you new to using Quickbooks, or curious about how it can help you organize your business finances? Are you confused by Microsoft Excel or just need to learn more about this powerful software?
Denny & Company, LLP, and A BrightStar Consulting are offering a free, three hour seminar at our offices in Valencia on June 12, 2008, from 9 am to 12 noon.
Call Lisa Starr at 661-286-8860 or email her at lisa.starr@dennyllp.com to reserve your spot. Seating is limited, so call today!
No worries, just file an amended return (1040x). This is a perfectly normal thing to do, and could save you money, or correct a problem that the IRS will find anyhow.
Let’s say you forgot to report a W2 — it’s no problem to file 1040X and report that income and withheld tax — you may get a bigger refund. However, if you don’t file an amended return, rest assured that the IRS will catch the error via their computers — and you’ll get a letter from them with the corrections.
For more information on filing amended returns, see this article, or call us at Denny & Company.
Washington, D.C. (March 18, 2008)
The Internal Revenue Service said it would begin sending out more than 130 million economic stimulus payments in weekly installments starting May 2, with the distribution schedule based on the last two digits of the recipient’s Social Security number.
The initial recipients will be those whose Social Security numbers end between 00 and 20, and who have elected to receive their tax refunds by direct deposit. For those who don’t use direct deposit, paper checks will be sent starting May 16.
See the rest of the article here
According to the AP:
WASHINGTON – Don’t be alarmed. More than 130 million households will get letters from the Internal Revenue Service beginning next week and the news is good.
The letters are part of an effort to ensure people do not miss out if they are eligible for a tax rebate check under the recently passed $168 billion economic aide plan.
The IRS is reminding people to file a 2007 tax return so they will receive the payment.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said his department and the IRS would work hard to get the word out. “For the majority of Americans, all they will need to do is file a tax return,” Paulson said in a statement.
He said the IRS would work with the Veterans Affairs Department, the Social Security Administration and private groups such as AARP to “reach those who do not normally file a return and ensure they know how to get their stimulus payment this year.”
AOL-Money & Finance has a nice little quiz to query your knowledge of tax deductions. You might be surprised at some of them.
For even better help with maximizing your deductions and minimizing your taxable income, call the experts at Denny & Company, LLP.
We make life less taxing.
In a recent article on MSN Money, Jeff Schnepper lists ten common tax mistakes people make, and how to avoid them. One really good way to avoid them, and relieve the stress of preparing your taxes, is to have Denny & Company, LLP, prepare your taxes for you.
His top ten list:
1. Claiming the wrong filing status
2. Omitting or using the wrong Social Security numbers
3. Failing to use the correct forms and schedules
4. Failing to sign and date the return
5. Claiming ineligible dependents
6. Misusing or not using the earned income credit
7. Losing receipts
8. Failing to report domestic workers
9. Failing to report all income
10. Failing to check for the alternative minimum tax
Follow the link above to see a further explanation of these common mistakes, or give us a call at Denny & Company, LLP (661)286-8860.
We make life less taxing.
