Broad Spectrum CDC

I went through this company and got my taxes done for «Free» at Fairfax High Adult School.
Totally disorganized and slow. Some of the tax preparers were too busy texting their friends to do anything.
Worse thing– My tax preparer had me write off a few things. This made me NOT get my Economic Stimulus Payment by $ 8!!!
You get what you pay for.

This non-​profit organization was founded in 2000. They partner with banks, corporations, City of Los Angeles, FTB, the IRS, etc. to promote community development. Since I didn’t file my last year’s taxes and also had to do this year’s, I went in as I wasn’t sure how to handle the previous year. They organized tax prep at the Inglewood City Hall, and is the only office that had 2005 software. Granted it was late in the tax season so there’s a ton of late filers, but it was like a damn circus, completely ill prepared.
The loud mouth ring master of this thing is completely arrogant. Getting the job done properly wasn’t his priority of the day. I left for about 90 minutes, after checking in with the sign in people as they said. When I got back, I had just missed my name as I saw where he was at on the list. I recognized people in front of me in the line that were seated at the various desk stations. If you DID NOT HEAR YOUR NAME, I repeat, if you DID NOT HEAR YOUR NAME, your are NOT on my list. I politely reminded the guy 3 times, he’s like oh, I CALLED your name a LONG TIME AGO.
One of the people that did my taxes was didn’t even claim my renter’s credit. She claims to have recently done a tax return for over $ 100K income, yeah sure. Now I have go over the thing with a fine tooth comb and possibly file an amendment. So slow and untrained, she keep asking the 3 IRS people, should I check this box, I told you not to leave me, etc. OMG, is this what I’ve been waiting all day for!??
Other people were complaining why was it taking so long to print. The printer wasn’t working, is that printer working, I need a printer. The computers weren’t linked up to a server nor was it backed up, so they keep tossing back and forth a couple of thumbnail drives, where is it, I gave it to you, the white one, I just backed it up, etc. Then they were only able to locate one of the year of my returns, as I sat with two different people, where’s the 2006, I gave it back to her, do you have it, i put it on your desk. One of the preparers was fairly knowledgeable and the other one wasn’t.
When they did finally locate both of the returns, the dude still only returns one years of the w2’s, where’s my 2005, I gave it to you, i don’t have it, this is just 2006 — didn’t I just have this conversation?!? About 5 other people and I were there early in the morning until closing time and then they ran out of paper! I have to drive back over there to pick this crap up. I said, why am I not surprised. He was like, you don’t have to have an attitude! Could the documents be emailed to me — no, it requires a signature.
So he gives my info to the untrained lady to hold and print back at their office. She gets all pissy when I inquired about how to do an amendment, if you don’t trust me to do your taxes, did she change her mind again, you think I ‘m going to lose it, blah, blah. Yeah, lady — just include the effin’ renter’s credit and don’t just completely waste my time. Slower than you can believe, worst than the most ungodly DMV appt. Why did I ever think it could be accomplished in 2 hours? I could have just dropped off my documents in the morning for the same result.
I know some great nonprofits, but in this case non-​profit means non-​productive. Let everyone drop off documents, call if questions, instead of having it take an entire day. PEOPLE, The MORE you ask me, HOW LONG is this going to take, the SLOWER this process is going to be. So much drama, why have an audience for a view of mediocrity? Not a hero, a big ZERO. My recommendation, buy your own tax prep software! Loretta is the only staff member there that is diligent and nice.
4−16−07 Update
And what happened when I went back? The one lady gave the 2005 back to the original lady and she wasn’t in. So I waited another three hours for the IRS lady to do my taxes once again. She was cool and all, but I didn’t get a copy of the 2006 taxes from her that was e-​filed. She said I had everything she had. I was so much wanting to split the damn place, I wished her a good day and I was out of there. This place is a nightmare !!! There were about 7 other people waiting there too, everyone looking like bored zombies. What a waste of taxpayer’s time!