JK Harris Charged $3,500 to represent us in OIC, never filed anything - we owe IRS twice as much as when we started Charleston South Carolina
My husband and I contracted JK Harris to represent us for overdue and unfiled business and personal taxes three years ago. We trusted them to get us out of a very confusing and overwhelming tax situation. We had very little money and financed the $3,500 they charged us for this representation, often choosing to go without when the $103 bank draft needed to go through for JK Harris payment.
I filled out and submitted (LOTS OF WORK) the required financial disclosure for the OIC *two* times -- fully expecting that we were about to make an offer to the IRS and get this settled both times I did so. I was told that we would never have to communicate with the IRS, they would be communicating with them on our behalf. All along I would get letters and liens, call JK Harris and find that my representative no longer worked for the company. A new person was assigned to our case. She didn't return my calls or respond to my emails.
Our OIC was never submitted.
The only work they ever actually did for us was prepare our 1997, 1999 and 2000 business taxes. The IRS says they never received these or the power of attorney forms. I had to go to an appointment with a Revenue Officer without the representation or advice we paid for - despite my numerous calls and pleas to help us out. Yesterday my husbands wages were attached and mine will be as of this Firday if we do not submit our offer (or perhaps even so). The IRS can now seize any of our property -- we don't have much and we definitely need what we have -- our cars are all that we own and of course we need them to get to work. We are afraid that out bank accounts will be frozed and we won't be able to pay our rent or bills.
We now owe twice as much money than when we first began the process with JK Harris because of the penalties and interest. We are experiencing humiliation as former employers and business associates are receiving notices of these levies against us. We are angry and frustrated and feel we are victims of JK Harris' fraud. The IRS has no sympathy for us and says that we should have researched the company 3 years ago when we contracted them to be certain they were reputable.
These are stressful, frightening times for us as we have worked so hard to get to where we are now and it looks as though we are back to struggling all over again. We want to join a class action lawsuit against JK Harris. They are unethical and take advantage of people who are intimidated by their tax problems, only creating bigger IRS problems for their clients in the future. Despite the $3,500 we paid them for the peace of mind that things would be done right and we could settle, there's no chance JK Harris will be representing us with the OIC. I absolutely have to meet with the Revenue Officer again this week and file the OIC -- and hope and pray for the best outcome.
If anyone can refer us to a lawyer with a class action lawsuit against JK Harris, please pass along the info!
Kristina
MARTINSBURG, West Virginia
U.S.A.
13 Updates & Rebuttals
Alan
Shakopee,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
To Peter in Salem re:irs/jk harris
#14Consumer Comment
Wed, January 02, 2008
I did file my rip-off report here, I was hoping to find Peters advice again, as I want my money from jk harris and company.
Peter, you stated the irs is nicer than they were in the past, I can't tell you they are, after my experience with jk harris (they did nothing for me) I dealt with the irs myself and thru a tax attorney to the tune of $250.00 per hour.
The irs told ME what I could afford, they have so many things that don't qualify as monthly debt ie: cell phone bills (unless needed for medical reasons) credit cards (not needed to live) and they allow only so much for housing and utility bills (Depending on the county you live in). I was abused by one rep at the irs, she was yelling at me after I told her I couldn't afford to pay them what they wanted (most were nice though), Even after telling them I'm a seasonal worker
I could afford to pay aboiut 300 bucks per month during the my work season, however, they wouldn't listen
My wages were levied by the irs to the tune of over $3500.00 for the seven weeks it took for the levy to be released, I got 261 bucks per week to pay bills, the irs averaged over five hundred per week.
I did claim a severe hardship with the irs, it did no good, they still wanted over $900.00 per month, knowing they had only 2 years left to collect. The irs has limitations now that weren't there years ago. They have 10 years to collect back taxes,from they year they were filed, and you CAN file bankruptcy for taxes older than 3 years old.
My advice would be, don't get in deep with the irs.
However, in the case with jk harris, they clearly are a rip off and should be out of business, they still have commercials on tv here daily along with several other tax resolution companies that have suddenly started advertising here in Mn so the money they make must be in the millions, or they wouldn't be popping up all over.
Alan in Mn
Dan
Oob,Maine,
U.S.A.
Law Suite Solves Nothing
#14UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, July 12, 2007
Unfortunatly a law suit would only frustrate you. Lawyers stay up late at night thinking on who to sue in class action because its HUGE money quick!! Notice they give you 30 days to object,,real slick! All they will do is take the first offer probably 7 or 8 million. They will take 3 million and about 70,000 people get 100 dollars. Your best bet is to sue them yourself ,by agreeing to a class action you give the lawyer a license to steal your money through the law!
William
Lees Summit,Missouri,
U.S.A.
WRITE TO YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL
#14Consumer Comment
Fri, November 24, 2006
KRISTINA;
I would write to your attorney general and file a formal complaint with him/her.
Explain all that they didn't do as outlined in your contract, and explain the predicament they have placed you in to date.
If you contracted at an office in another state,other than your own, I would write to that attorney general also.
I understand he is trying to resolve some lawsuits brought against him by some of the attorney generals in the US and contact with these guys may help everyone.
John Harris, according to his web site I reviewed some time ago, has other businesses in Florida and may very well live in that state.
Good Luck.
William
Lees Summit,Missouri,
U.S.A.
WRITE TO YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL
#14Consumer Comment
Fri, November 24, 2006
KRISTINA;
I would write to your attorney general and file a formal complaint with him/her.
Explain all that they didn't do as outlined in your contract, and explain the predicament they have placed you in to date.
If you contracted at an office in another state,other than your own, I would write to that attorney general also.
I understand he is trying to resolve some lawsuits brought against him by some of the attorney generals in the US and contact with these guys may help everyone.
John Harris, according to his web site I reviewed some time ago, has other businesses in Florida and may very well live in that state.
Good Luck.
William
Lees Summit,Missouri,
U.S.A.
WRITE TO YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL
#14Consumer Comment
Fri, November 24, 2006
KRISTINA;
I would write to your attorney general and file a formal complaint with him/her.
Explain all that they didn't do as outlined in your contract, and explain the predicament they have placed you in to date.
If you contracted at an office in another state,other than your own, I would write to that attorney general also.
I understand he is trying to resolve some lawsuits brought against him by some of the attorney generals in the US and contact with these guys may help everyone.
John Harris, according to his web site I reviewed some time ago, has other businesses in Florida and may very well live in that state.
Good Luck.
Adam
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Class Action Litigation
#14Consumer Suggestion
Tue, November 21, 2006
We are actually looking into the situation right now. Feel free to email me at (((ROR REDACTED E-MAIL ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))
Thanks.
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
JK Harris.. outright misrepresentation and fraud.. PLUS..everyone needs to know that LESS THAN 1% of delinquent tax cases are settled & ANY taxpayer, or tax preparer can fill out and mail the "offer in compromise" forms. There is nothing tricky about it.
#14Consumer Suggestion
Sat, August 26, 2006
ALL of these types of businesses are fraud and should never be used. ANY taxpayer, or tax preparer can fill out and mail the "offer in compromise" forms. There is nothing tricky about it.
HOWEVER, everyone needs to know that LESS THAN 1% of delinquent tax cases are settled by means of "OIC". This information is available directly from the IRS.
Here is how the IRS works. If you go to them, they will work with you any way they can. If they have to hunt you down, they will be less agreeable in working with you.
I have dealt with the IRS several times over the past 20+ years on tax debt. Every time they have worked with me, as I went to them as soon as I knew of the problem.
All you have to do is write to the Taxpayer Advocate's office, or just walk in to any IRS office and make an appointment.
I walked in without an appointment one time to the OKC OK IRS office and they solved the problem on the spot on that visit..and I owed them money. They sat down and showed me how to fix the problem. After all was said and done, I filed an amended return and got money back!
Remember..LESS THAN 1% get settled with "offer in compromise".. Don't fall prey to these scammers.
Peter
Salem,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
Get Your Monney From JK HArris / relief from the IRS
#14Consumer Suggestion
Sat, August 26, 2006
Kristina, First, try and work out a payment plan with the IRS, they aren't as bad as they use to be. If the payments are more than what you can afford, or can't afford anything, tell then it "will create a hardship", be sure to state it that way.
Second, don't frustrate yourself by trying to call JK Harris, they will not respond, or if they do it is just another stalling tactick. They go to your nearest court house, and file a claim in small claims court. Ask for the maximum amount allowed by law in your state. Name JK Harris as the defefndant, and the sales person that you met with as the codefendant. If the sales person is not with the comany, get the name of another sales person. It is very important to name a sales person as co defendant. Use the address where you met them as the serving address.
When yuo go to the hearing, ask the judge for "TREBLE" DAMAGES, (3x's) the amount filed. You will win through default, for JK Harris will not appear. thye think that they are above the law as it applie to them because of the arbitration clause in the contract. The must appear at the hearing to argue the clause, and they won't.
Thirty days from the hearing go to a collection hearing, for they still won't pay you, and ask the court for a "Capias", naming the sales person. Send a copy to the salesperson and JK Harris, attention of Monica Linder, and ask them where thye would like it served, home or at work. You will now get your mone, plus interest and court costs awarded by the court.
Do not sign a confidentiallity agreement with JK Harris to get your money. You don't have to, the court is ordering them to pay.
This works, and it is the only thing JK Harris responds to. If you need assistance, please contact me.
Peter
Kristina
MARTINSBURG,West Virginia,
U.S.A.
Any Class Action Suits?
#14Author of original report
Fri, August 25, 2006
I am only aware of one firm with a class action suit... but their contract for the suit concerned me because 1) it looked like the fine print contained the real possibility that we could owe the lawyers as much if not more than what has been taken from us by JK Harris, and 2) we'd hardly get a dime in retribution if the case did win due to the large percentage the law firm would receive... perhaps I am overly cautious considering but I just couldn't join that suit without talking to other JK Harris fraud victims who were joining the suit first. Anyone currently involved in or know someone in a class action against JK Harris? Thanks for your comments...
Dave
Durham,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Class Action Lawsuit
#14Consumer Comment
Thu, August 24, 2006
I agree wholeheartedly. There are plenty of us just here who would be willing to go after this corrupt company.
We need to band together, strength in numbers.
just look at the states involved here. If the SC attorney Generals office backed down, the investigator must have had a really nice weekend at the beach on JK Harris.
this is ridiculous, how many people have to file the same complaint before someone takes notice?
Dave
Durham,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Class Action Lawsuit
#14Consumer Comment
Thu, August 24, 2006
I agree wholeheartedly. There are plenty of us just here who would be willing to go after this corrupt company.
We need to band together, strength in numbers.
just look at the states involved here. If the SC attorney Generals office backed down, the investigator must have had a really nice weekend at the beach on JK Harris.
this is ridiculous, how many people have to file the same complaint before someone takes notice?
Dave
Durham,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Class Action Lawsuit
#14Consumer Comment
Thu, August 24, 2006
I agree wholeheartedly. There are plenty of us just here who would be willing to go after this corrupt company.
We need to band together, strength in numbers.
just look at the states involved here. If the SC attorney Generals office backed down, the investigator must have had a really nice weekend at the beach on JK Harris.
this is ridiculous, how many people have to file the same complaint before someone takes notice?
Dave
Durham,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Class Action Lawsuit
#14Consumer Comment
Thu, August 24, 2006
I agree wholeheartedly. There are plenty of us just here who would be willing to go after this corrupt company.
We need to band together, strength in numbers.
just look at the states involved here. If the SC attorney Generals office backed down, the investigator must have had a really nice weekend at the beach on JK Harris.
this is ridiculous, how many people have to file the same complaint before someone takes notice?