Complaint Review: H&R Block - Denton Texas

You are so welcome. The individual was very incorrect and I quoted the IRS code and he still had doubts. If it was the case of like a credit card or a signature loan being past due and a offset could be done, only 1/10 of america would get a refund haha, and he thinks one must be a tax attorney to figure that one out

Thank you Lisa. That was my understanding as well. Just wanted to see if Steve knew some code I was not aware of or could site a legal case I did not know about. It reminds me of a saying a professor of mine said in Federal Income Taxation. "No matter how many returns you do, no matter your level of training, no matter what research you conduct about an issue, you will always run into someone that has a brother in law that is a barber that knows more than you." In short, I agree with your assertions. Thanks!!!

If you owe a bill like a credit card bill it can not be offset, ONLY federal debts. You can call FMS/IRS and they can give you a list Only other goverment or state agencies can do offsets.

Just a question about your discussion. I am under the impression that the IRS can take your refund for the following debts: 1. Past Taxes 2. VA Obilgations 3. Student Loans Past Due 4. Child Support There are most likely a few others I cannot think of at the moment. I have never heard of the IRS taking a refund for a civil judgement. For example, if VISA gets a judgement against me for unpaid debt can the IRS take my refund? I have been in practice for 5 years and have never seen that and if I understand Steve correctly that can be the case. If the IRS can garnish the refund for a civil judgement where is that found in the code. Furthermore, what form does a holder of a judgement need to submit in order to garnish one's refund (I have several clients who would love to take advantage of this in order to collect old debts). I know in South Carolina a state refund can be garnished for hospital bills but have never seen non governmental debt garnished from a federal refund except for child support. Please provide any information you can to get me straight on this. I am ALWAYS learning.

Hi Robert, I agree, the IRS even discourages those rapid refunds. Because of the high fees and like you said efile it on your own and you get it within 14 days (ten business days) for direct deposit. It's much easier and much cheaper. Those things are a ripoff, but people do it cause they need the money fast. But if you did without it all year my thought is no rush on it now. I'd rather wait the extra few days.

I believe there is some confusion, my latter post stated "UNLESS" My employment is irrelevant to my knowlege of tax law. I am fully aware of that judements can cause a garnish and the IRS can "LEVY" your paycheck as well. I believe there is confusion in my post though. My incormation comes from IRC 6402(d) U.S.C 1704.53 states if it comes from a US court it can be if it's turned over to the DOT due to the debt has been related to any entity of a federal or state or close relationship to those as well. It really doesn't matter since it looks like this person has it resolved but just wanted to point out where I got the information from.

Why would anyone want a "rapid refund"? I did my taxes using Tax Cut (I usually use turbo tax, but this year tried HR Blocks instead). Efiled (cost me a total of $30 for both state and fed) and got my refund in 10 days, directly deposited to my CU account. Why would you pay the excessive fees these guys charge you for this refund, which is actually a high interest, short term loan?

Bobby, do you have a common last name as well? Because the bank may had withheld the payment because someone with the same name does owe, and until they finally got the rest of your info, and realized that it wasn't you, it was another person, they released it. I'm sorry but it your money you paid for this is gone because it was the bank that held your money. Not H&R Block. And the one time I decided to do it, I said no because I was told (I had a very good agent) that if the bank refuses for ANY reason to release the money and then get it from the IRS, I would be out of the money I paid for the extra convenience. I do say that they should have explained that you, as it was explained to me. (But as I mentioned I had a great agent who also informed me that it would be better for me to file my own state taxes, as the fee that they charged for it was higher than what I was getting back.)

...Or...are you a tax lawyer? You have bad information. An IRS tax refund can be garnished just like a paycheck can. All it takes is a judges signature. I know this for a fact.

...Or...are you a tax lawyer? You have bad information. An IRS tax refund can be garnished just like a paycheck can. All it takes is a judges signature. I know this for a fact.

Bobby, I wanted to mention that H&R block uses Household bank, if you owe household bank your refund can be used to go towards any debt you may owe. If you do not owe any debt to household bank, call the IRS 1-800-829-0922 and speak to a represenative who as the other person stated refer you to a taxpayer advocate. H&R block has to tell you where your money went to. It is your right as a taxpayer to know. Publication 1 from the IRS will advise you of those rights etc. They can't just take your money and not advise you where it went. You can also file a complaint with the IRS about tax preperation like this where they aren't giving you the information you are entitled to. Hope this helps.

Maybe that was a long time ago, only state and federal debts can be offset UNLESS it was ruled by a federal or state court, and I do have my information correct being rude is not necessary.

Lisa, Where did you get your information that you posted? I suggest you get your facts straight before posting. It is very easy to get someone's tax refund when you have a civil judgement against them. As long as you file your request early enough along with a certified copy of the judgement to the IRS they will levy the refund. The customer will then get a letter from the IRS explaining the levy, and you get the check from the IRS. This happened to me several years ago. So don't say it cannot be done until you get your facts straight.

Your refund CAN NOT be offset by a civil judgement just wanted to make note of that

Bobby, I am not sure what happened to your check, but I think I have an idea. Your letter was clear and well-written, but there are a couple of things that I am not sure of. Clearly the service you received was not up to par. I suspect that you wre initially granted a partial instant loan, which you declined to get the payment in full the next day. Generally, if you received a RAL the previous year, you can expect faster service, and in many cases clients receive their checks the same day the return was prepared (if early in the morning). You should have receive your check quickly, which is what you were told via email. From my understanding the email is not forwarded until the bank authorizes payment. The checks are printed in the office, so I am confused as to why you did not receive payment. The statement that the bank kept some or all of your money could have easily been resolved. On the loan application you signed there is an 800 number that you can call to find out why your check may have been delayed. If the IRS approved your refund, then the only entity that could hold your money would be HSBC, and that would have to be for a payment owed to the bank. The IRS can hold back money for a variety of reasons (ie, owing state taxes, civil judgements, child support, etc). If for some reason you were declined for the loan, the payment shifts from a RAL to a RAC (check, which is not a loan). You fee would be reduced and your income increased. However, I suspect the problem is simplier than that, and harder to explain. I suspect, based on the email your received, that the check was printed, but that it was probably either misplaced or placed in a wrong folder, and discovered later. There are several ways to determine if and when a check has been received. I suspect the office personnel did not do everything possible to locate your check. We can even check to see if and when a check was issued, the amount and when it was cashed. I am sorry for the problems you encountered, and I hope it did not have too severe an impact on you or your family.

They have too many seasonal part timers who know nothing. That is what happened. If you paid a fee to get it within 2 days, and it took 6, I would go all the way to the top, screaming until I got the money back. Incompetence is what took 6 days.

I finally got my tax return after being told that I would not receive it at all. Why did H&R tell me this, then call me up with a check. I paid extra to have it in 1-2 days. They will not refund the money for that extra 6 days that it took.

Six days after being told my refund would not be given to me. My wife was contacted at work by H&R Block asking her to come pick up the printed check (tax return). My wife was so confused. However, she went, picked up the check, and requested a refund. We felt we were entitled a refund for paying approximately $75.00 for 1-2 day processing. We were publicly ridiculed for our alleged debt and refused refund. Should we be refunded? Is this a rip-off?

H&R block processes their rapid refunds through a bank called HSBC also known as Household Bank. This would be the bank that would either approve your rapid refund or deny it depending on the info the IRS has released to them regaurding your return. If they say it is because of money you owe you can call the IRS bad debt hotline and it will tell you all the info you need to know about why your return may have been held up. This can include things such as back taxes, child support, student loans or any other federal debt. It is possible that HSBC determined that they were not positive you would indeed recieve the full return amount you expected and refused to front you the money until they get approval from the IRS. This is why H&R block only offered you part of what your return was supposed to be. I know with the bank my company goes through to process your returns if the bank declines you because of bad debt one of a few things could happen. 1) the IRS says you owe them at least the full amount of your refund + some so they keep your entire refund. 2) The IRS says you only owe them a partial amount so they send you the left overs or 3) it is transfered from a ral (refund anticipation loan) to a BDA (bonus deposit account) which means you werent approved for the RAL so you will recieve your refund as a whole, just not as quicky, usually within a few weeks ( or as soon as the IRS approves the specific amount). Hope this helps you a little...I suggest you go to the IRS website and get the number for the bad debt hotline and give it a call to see whats REALLY up with your return.

Bobby, sorry to hear about that, but I don't think the rip off here is by H&R Block. The ONLY way anyone but the IRS itself can sieze your tax refund is with a court order, such as enforcing a default judgement, etc.. You need to get your FREE annual credit report from EACH of the 3 major credit bureaus IMMEDIATELY and see if there are any judgements on you or your wife. Also, call the main# for the IRS and speak to a taxpayer advocate. They can get the info for you, but it will take time as they first have to send you a form to fill out and sign and return with ID verification. Unless you have an IRS office close by it is better to go in person. Good luck!