H&R Block

I guess this place is ok. It seems like they can get the job done. Just barely. Or maybe… if they want to. It all started when I got this letter from the franchise tax board telling me I owe more than 100% of my income for 2012. Apparently if you don’t claim how much you make for a certain year, they just decide how much you owe based on… Nothing. Obviously, I need help. Big time. So, I went in for an appt with Mary Ellen. This is right up there with going to the dentist for me. I’m a smart person but I know nothing about taxes. Mary Ellen seemed ok at first. Then, she gave me the weakest handshake on Earth. What’s up with people who have weak handshakes? I hate that. Ok, I won’t judge her on that, she may be a tax wizard reserving her magical powers for the important stuff. We sit down, I tell her my story. She says «I don’t believe you.»
«Excuse me?» My ears must be deceiving me. She couldn’t have possibly just said that she doesn’t believe what I told her. The problem was that the letter I got was a final notice, but I had not received any prior notices. I’m not saying they didn’t get sent or arrive in my mail but, since I am not the person who collects the mail at my house and I have missed important letters before because of this, it’s possible that I did not get it in my hand to open and read it. Regardless of any of this, if I tell her I didn’t get it, I didn’t get it.
She says again «I don’t believe you. You had to have gotten it.»
I repeat «I did NOT get it. The moment I received any letter, I took action right away.»
So, basically we went on back and forth about how I didn’t get the letter, I did get the letter. Seriously. First of all, you don’t argue with the customer for the first 5 minutes of their appt. Second, you don’t accuse ANYONE of lying without proof ESPECIALLY if that person is being polite, respectful and paying you for a service. This is the first time anyone performing a service for me has told me that I’m lying, just like that to my face. I was in shock. Fighting the urge to poke her in the throat with an index finger (I still need help, and right away), I end that conversation and say «Well, I’m here now and I need your help obviously.»
The other issue is that I’m an independent contractor and was working very part time that year. And like I said, I know nothing about taxes. I know, shame on me. But that’s why there’s people out there to help people like me, who desperately need it. I had no record of my income for that year.
Mary ellen says to me at this point «I can’t help you. There’s nothing you can do»
WTF? Are you serious? She is no tax wizard. I was desperate so I kept asking questions. I spent about 10 minutes asking her every question I could think of to get the answer I’m looking for. Finally, I asked the magic question: What about a bank statement? I have a business account that I use only for work purposes.
*ding ding ding*
She says «That would work. But, I don’t know how you’re going to get it. You’ll probably have to pay for it, and wait a long time. Then you have to go through every transaction and find the business related ones»
I just told her the whole acct was business related. But, jeez, this lady was really trying to drag me down. I finally got what I was looking for, and she said I should make another appt for after I get my statement. She books me an appt for that Fri. It was Tue and I need this handled ASAP. I could see they had earlier appts available on the computer but she said I couldn’t have those because it’s going to take me at least that long to get my statements and sort out my business transactions. Another FAIL. Fine. I take that appt and get the hell outta Dodge.
I go to the bank and within an hour I have my statement. Good thing it wasn’t as complicated as she was making it seem. I went online and made an appt for the next day with Sue Anne. She was… different. She actually helped me! She told me it’s ok and I’m not completely hopeless. She explained everything to me like I’m 5, which is exactly what I needed. She listened to everything I said. She answered my 101 questions. She gave me the guidance I needed to handle this situation in the way that would be most beneficial for me. Most importantly, she didn’t accuse me of being a liar. She spent about 30 min with me and at the end, she said the most beautiful thing I heard all week. «OK, you don’t owe anything»
But, wait… let me get to the punchline: «That’ll be $ 412.»
LOL Good one, Sue Anne. Oh wait, I really had to pay that much for 30 min of her time. Ouch.
Overall, I still felt raped, but it was not the dry anal rape that the state would’ve given me. Thanks, Sue Anne!
UPDATE: I lowered my rating to one star because I just found out that I could have called Patty Barron and paid $ 80 for the same service.

The women who helped with my taxes was amazing her name is Donna and she was so helpful the only thing I will say is DO NOT use the emerald card they offer unless you plan on using the card as a debit only. Your charged $ 35 dollars for taking large amounts out and $ 5.50 is charged for the smaller amounts it’s crazy to me.

I give it 5 Stars for John Lucido, my tax professional at this office. For the last 5 years, i used to do HR online myself and was doing everything wrong! He was able to help me fix and do things properly. Every year that i have seen him, its smooth, hes professional. I deal with alot of CPA’s and tax professionals, i still make the drive down even though i don’t live there anymore to have him process them for me. Hes very polite and makes taxes a breeze for me!

I have been coming here for the last few years and I must say Tina Riley is the reason why I come back. Makes doing taxes so much less stressful. She really cares and works hard for her clients I will be back next year for sure! Thank you Tina!

I have been coming here for a few years and have found that Sue is the best!
My mom recommend her because she has been coming here for Sue for years now, and I can see why. She is always so nice and genuinely friendly.

Have used them twice and have had excellent service. Located in the same shopping center as IHOP, Pasta Pomodoro and Starbucks. We always get the same man doing our taxes and he is always nice, friendly and helpful. He did our taxes quickly and we got a lot back.

Horrible experience in office and with corporate. Do not go to any h&r block