Tax Incorporated, Ted Heater, Vahan Hart, ALL AFFILIATES TAX INCOORPORATED Took my MONEY & HUNG me OUT TO DRY, when I NEEDED HELP desperately! Los Angeles California
This Company & these people are the worst kind of humans! Thoughtless, inconsiderate, uncompassionate, rude and completely inept. They will lie to you and STEAL your money when you can least afford it! They did to me....
I called them after googling and finding an endorsement from CNN around March 1, 2007. The person who took my call was Ted, "Teddy" (ha-ha) Heater. A seasoned SALESMAN he talks a smooth game. He told me that, "they couldn't help everyone", but that "my case had an EXTREMELY high chance of being settled for much less than my debt due to the circustances that put me in this position to begin with, i.e., my son became disabled". And, "since I had no assets" I was in an even better position to bargain with the IRS & the State Income Taxes that I owed to arrive at a settlement within 3-6 months. He told me that I had to "bank wire" (MISTAKE>>>>>>Why don't they accept your credit card?) 1/2 of the $4,200.00 fee and then they would IMMEDIATELY get to work on my case. I told him that I only had 1/2 of that. He said no problem, I will set you up to pay the balance later. I sent the money. They sent me a package with a Power of Attorney form which I promptly signed and sent back. He (Ted) demanded that I file my 2006 Tax Return, I complied. Basically I did EVERYTHING that they asked me to as soon as I was asked.
Thirty days later, without any contact from them, they tried to automatically debit my bank account for the balance of $2,200.00. They caused my rent check to bounce (embarrassing) and cost me overdraft fees. I called and he apologized and then agreed to have the remaining fee available to him in 30 days, which I did. They again took it electronically from my checking account. Now 60 days time has passed, I asked for an update on my account. I got no response. I emailed several times, then I started calling them. I got put through to voice mail and no one returned my calls. The IRS meantime was sending me repeated letters threatening me. I faxed each and everyone of these letters over to Tax Incorporated. When Ted Heater finally called me back, he acted "surprised" that the IRS was contacting me and told me that, "my account was on hold & that he had the documentation in front of him". He told me many times to "ignore the letters from the IRS". I did so.
On August 7, 2007, the IRS sent my employer a Levy of my Wages. Not only was I TOTALLY EMBARRASSED, but VERY UPSET. When I called Tax, Inc. the girls answering the telephone were outright RUDE. I was reprimanded for dialing the 800 number instead of the client number that they provided to me, but I was at work and didn't have access to it. I had to listen to a 10 minute lecture from this girl before she put me through to Ted's voice mail. He told me AND MY EMPLOYER WHO CALLED HIM DIRECTLY, that the "Levy was invalid and to ignore it". He told my employer to IGNORE IT, placing them an in illegal position. They chose not to IGNORE it. I have been living off $168.70 a week since August 7, 2007. Today is December 26, 2007 and I have not heard one thing from TAX INCORPORATED since that day. I emailed and demanded a complete account of what they had done on my case and that was blatently ignored.
On December 19, 2007, I had a certified letter from the IRS. They had placed ANOTHER LIEN AGAINST ME!!!! I was infuriatad, so I called them. I was told by the IRS agent (I have his name & badge number) that NO ONE FROM TAX INC. HAD EVER MADE ANY CONTACT WITH THEM WHATSOEVER ON MY CASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVER!!!!! ALMOST 10 MONTHS TIME AND $4,200.00 LATER?????????????????????????????
Vahan Hart admitted to me that they hadn't even contacted the State, but assured me that the IRS was being "negotiated with". HA! MY FOOT.
Bottom line, I sent a Certifed Letter to Tax, Incorporated, firing them. I demanded my money back within 10 days time and IF I DON'T GET IT, I am prepared to FIGHT in ANYWAY that I can.
IF YOU HAVE ALSO HAD A SIMILIAR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS COMPANY AND WISH TO JOIN/START A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR DAMAGES, PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS POST. I hope no one else experiences what I have!!!
Vic-to-mized
DeBary, Florida
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
T20heater
Los Angeles,California,
U.S.A.
Client requested we "hold off" on resolving case-Teddy Heater Tax Incorporated
#2REBUTTAL Individual responds
Thu, January 24, 2008
To prospective or current clients: My name is Theodore Heater Jr., and yes I go by Teddy. I have been employed by Tax Incorporated for the past 3 years and in this time I have taken on about 5000 new cases and this is the first complaint I've ever came across. Actually I was made aware of this complaint by a prospective client that was doing research prior to hiring us. The last contact we had from the client was by email,
08/27/2007 on the cover sheet client wrote the following: (Please hold off on trying to establish a payment plan. I'm going to attempt to get the $7,000 instead. Thanks, Vicky. ) The client specifically requested us to wait until we heard back from her before proceeding. Tax Inc. never received another call/email or letter authorizing us to continue work. This client did not disclose the additional tax debt. Her income never changed like she had suggested it would prior to hiring Tax Inc. The client was also aware of the payment structure and it was verified by a 3rd party, the firms policy is to stop or drop a case if the 2nd payment is delinquent, which I authorized to continue working. Below is a full account of the notes taken on the clients case.
First and foremost I am NOT a salesman, I have a Degree in business with an emphasis in Finance, not only do I assess cases for the firm but I also work directly with our the Attorneys. Our firm is highly regarded in this industry and we pride ourselves on our success rate and our experinced staff of Attorney's, CPA's, EA's, and the rest of our well seasoned legal staff. Prior to taking on this client we spoke in depth about her situation, based on the information she provided to me it was determined or firm would represent her and negotiate the liability through the means of A Doubt to Collectibilty. She explained that she had filed for disability, and that her income would drasitically change once that took effect. I never advised the client to wire money into our account! Most of our clients hire us with a credit card or a check by phone. Upon processing any payments this client's information and method of payment was verified by a 3rd party.
Immediately upon retaining our firm the IRS was contacted and the forms were faxed to and processed by them. The client also claimed I demanded her to file her 2006 tax return, it's against the law not to file, I was advising her to submit the delinquent returns for 2005 & 2006. Once those returns were recorded by the IRS an additional debt of 10K was added to the current debt of 22k. The client did not disclose that she would incur additional liabilty for those tax years. This is significant because once a debt goes over the 25k mark it entails much more work to be done. According to her finances she had a disposable income of $2000 dollars. The lead agent (Vahan Hart) assigned to the case was in constant contact with the IRS and it's documented with agents name and badge numbers. When the client notified us of the garnishment we contacted the IRS and they had no record of a garnishment on file. The notice of levy on wages was faxed by client. After a discussion with the lead agent the client understood what needed to be done Below are the documentations made on her case.
03/07/2007 Client owes about 20K from the years of 1999-2004. Has not filed for 2005 or 2006. Client has an existing medical condition which has caused her to file for SSI, pending judgment. Explained to client that when she qualified for Social Security/Disability that we'd be able to negotiate through the means of a doubt to collectability, as she will be on a fixed income. TH
03/09/2007 Did customer verification client understands she is paying 2100 today from Wachovia Bank checking account and the other half in a month. JS
03/09/2007 Received signed POA, form 8821 and IRS notice: "Please Call Us about Your Overdue Taxes for years 1999-2004 $21857.60 from client via fax, gave to JC to process. AJ
03/09/2007 Processed $2100, check by phone, verification done by JS. AN
03/09/2007 REVISED 2848 AND 8821. FAXED TO THE IRS, confirmation filed. JC
03/12/2007 Assigned case to VH.
03/15/2007 Confirmed IRS received 2848 and 8821. TH
03/26/2007 Called PPS, Mr. Nuke #1905207. 1999-2004 liability is $22,024. No return for 2005. Ordered income info & the ROA (record of Account). VH
03/27/2007 Received ROA for 2000 tax p. from IRS via fax gave to VH. AJ
04/13/2007 processed $2100, check by phone, verification done by JS on 03/07. AN
04/18/2007 Client may need to amend 2006 T/R (tax return), client is sending paperwork over tomorrow. TH.
04/18/2007 received notice of levy for 1999-2004 tax p. $22188.97 from client via fax, gave to VH. AJ
04/19/2007 Check for 2100 was returned, insufficient funds, notified Accounts Receivable. Case on hold until payment is received. AN
04/20/2007 Released hold on case, continue work, and will make arrangements with client. TH
04/23/2007 Received signed personal questionnaire from client via fax, filed in file and gave to AR. AJ
04/23/2007 12:15:51 Also rcvd bank statements from client via fax, filed in file as well. AJ
04/30/2007 Reviewed acc't. 2005 & 2006 T/R's delinquent, called client, left message to fax over copies of T/R's out if client filed 2005 and 2006. LM Also asked her to call back. AR
05/01/2007 Client called back, will fax over her T/R's tomorrow, and wants me to look over her 06 return. AR
05/02/2007 Rcvd 2005 and 2006 T/R's, 2006 W-2 and State of Georgia Dept. of Labor information, form 1099-G for 2006 tax year, from client via fax, gave to AR.
05/02/2007 433A completed, forward to VH to review. AR
5/03/2007 Reviewed financials. The pay stub does not reflect YTD amounts; it covers only one period without a starting date. AR will request another pay stub. VH
05/07/2007 attempted to contact client regarding income info, client's phone is currently disconnected. AR.
05/07/2007 Emailed client: (Ms. Lee, The pay stub that you provided does not reflect your Year to Date earnings, It only covers the current period, also we need the starting date or we need a new pay stub covering the whole year.) AR
05/15/2007 Client emailed: Responded (Ms. , The pay stub that you provided does not reflect your Year to Date earnings, it only covers the current period, also we need the starting date or we need a new pay stub covering the whole year).
05/23/2007 Rcvd notice of levy for 1999-2004 tax p.'s $22427.29 from client via fax, gave to AR. AJ.
05/23/2007 Forwarded above notice to VH. AJ
05/29/2007 Received CP14 for 2006 tax p. $4261.74 from IRS via mail. AJ
05/29/2007 Received CP14 for 2005 tax p. $4779.62 from IRS via mail. AJ
05/29/2007 Called PPS division spoke with Mr. Coleman 91-07997, confirmed collections were on hold. VH
05/29/2007 tried to call client number disconnected, sent email. TH
06/04/2007 Client called with a new phone number, updated her on status, also informed her about the delinquent balance, and scheduled payment for 06/11/07. TH
06/06/2007 Received combined tax statement for forms 1098, 1099, 5498 for tax year 2006, short summary for refund amounts, Trans Union employment disclosure report/public record information, IRS annual installment agreement statement, payment detail, State of GA letter regarding OIC, State of GA notice of intent to offset federal tax refund $5981.78 and another one for $2323.14 and State of GA action notice $2197.49 from client via fax, filed in file and let VH. AR
07/03/2007 Received CP 504 for 2005 tax p. $4849.96 from IRS via mail, gave to VH. AJ
07/10/2007 Received CP 504 for 2006 tax p. $4315.03 from IRS via mail, gave to VH. AJ
08/07/2007 Client left a message in regards to a Wage Garnishment, forwarded to VH, will address it immediately. TH
08/08/2007 Called PPS, Mr. Struck #1905628. All the returns are filed. 1999=$2,348.42 2000=$2,883.08 2001=$2,622.79 2002=$6,612.22 2003=$3,180.88 2004=$5,136.91 2005=$4,537.65 2006=$4,390.96. Ordered the ROA. Asked him about any wage garnishment. He did not find any levy issued. VH
08/08/2007 Received IRS account transcripts for 1999-2006 from IRS via fax, gave to VH. AJ
08/09/2007 Client called employer received notice to garnish wages explained that VH had spoke with Revenue Agent Called PPS, Mr. Struck #1905628 on 08-08, she is faxing garnishment! TH
08/10/2007 Received notice of levy for 1999-2004 tax p.'s $22935.90 addressed to Servello & Son Inc. from client via fax, gave to VH.
08/10/2007 12:59:31 Instructed CR to request YTD pay stub from client. VH
08/13/2007 CLIENT CALLED, ASKED HER TO FAX OVER CURRENT PAYSTUB. JC
08/14/2007 Received earnings statement from client via fax, gave to VH. AJ
08/14/2007 Input income & expenses. About $2K disposable income per standards & $1,700 with the actual expenses. She's got about $32K liability. They're going to request financials if balance is not reduced under $25K.
08/21/2007 Client called not knowing what to do. She is only left with under $400 a month to live off., advised client that to submit current financials so we could address issue, discussed with VH, he will call client. TH
08/23/2007 Returned client's call. Long, long case discussion (she's an accountant). Explained everything in details about her financials and gave her the options that she has. Gone over the numbers, did calculations. According to her the levy is $666.72 per week and she's about to send $2,000.16 for the last three weeks. When she saw that she's showing such disposable income per month, she decided to stay with the current levy & let the liability go down under 25K. She has no ability to borrow because of the bankruptcy she has. We agreed that I will try to see if they'll accept an agreement for a lesser amount and get the levy released. She was thankful. VH
08/27/2007 Received current pay period document from client via fax, gave to VH. AJ
08/27/2007 on the cover sheet client wrote the following: Please hold off on trying to establish a payment plan. I'm going to attempt to get the $7,000 instead. Thanks, Vicky . Will wait for clients call/fax before proceeding.
01/23/2007 Notified of complaint, will investigate if complaint was valid. TH