Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/08/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I had someone by the name of *************************** file my ********************************************** a check but somehow got deposited into a bank account that I don't have I've been waiting for my tax return from April and still haven't received it

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/08/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I filed a complaint a few weeks ago because this company has stolen my tax refund of over $1,000. I did receive a prompt response from them in regards to my contacting the BBB but I still have not received my money. They sent an Indemnity claim form which I was required to have notarized and I returned to them but they still have not sent my check and it's been over 3 weeks!!

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/07/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I received an email from my bank saying my ach was rejected because the information did not match my account . I called Sbtpg on the 8/2/2022 . I called sbtpg customer service and found out the irs sent my tax refund to sbtpg on July 29. Because my bank supposedly rejected the refund I was told that my tax refund will be mailed out but they could not provide me with the address the check will be mailed out too . On 8/4/20222 on the taxpayer.sbtpg.com website that a check was issued on the 8/4/2022 with the amount ********* . After reading numerous of threads Im concerned that I will not receive my check and if I do I will not be able to cash the check. Ive tried contacting sbtpg since and no one can tell Me when the check will be mailed out and to where it will be mail to.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/13/2022

  September 13, 2022
  
  Dear *************************,
  
  This letter is in response to the complaint filed against Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG) through
  the Better Business Bureau on August 7, 2022.
  
  TPG offers taxpayers an optional tax-refund transfer service through a network of tax preparation
  franchises, independent tax professionals, and online tax preparation providers. The refund transfer
  service (the ** Service) is offered and administered by Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC, with ***************** providing banking services for the ** Service. The ** Service allows taxpayers to pay their tax
  preparer fees from their federal or state tax refund rather than paying their tax preparer fees at the time of
  tax preparation. With the ** Service, taxpayers authorize a temporary non-interest-bearing deposit account
  to be opened in the taxpayers name at ************** to receive a direct deposit of the taxpayers federal
  and/or state tax refund from the *** or state tax authority. The ************** account is opened when
  ************** receives the taxpayers federal or state tax refund. When ************** receives the
  federal or state tax refund (whichever arrives first), TPG makes deductions from the tax refund to pay the
  tax preparation fees and associated upfront fees. ************** disburses the refund balance to the
  taxpayer pursuant to the taxpayers instruction. You electronically agreed to these terms and conditions
  through your ** Service Agreement.
  
  Unfortunately, your financial institution rejected the funds and declared the account an R03/ No
  Account/Unable to Locate Account and returned your funds to TPG. Therefore, TPG began the process
  to make a second attempt to disburse funds. Please keep in mind that if a taxpayer enters a bank account
  that will not accept the refund deposit, the transaction is rejected by the receiving bank. Once TPG
  receives the rejected refund, TPG makes another attempt to disburse funds to the customer via a Cashiers
  Check to the customers address of record.
  
  After additional research, TPG confirmed that a check was mailed on August 4, 2022, to your address on
  record. The check was cleared by a financial institution on August 18, 2022.
  If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact TPG directly at (877) 908-
  7228, Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
  
  
  Respectfully,
  TPG ********************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/05/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I received a tax refund check from this company because I prepared my taxes through Turbo Tax and paid for my services with my refund. My check was worth over $15,000. I do not have a bank account, nor do I have an ID (or any supporting documents for identity verification) due to my wallet being stolen. I have been sent on a wild goose chase to cash this check and I am desperate need of this money because I just had surgery and am out of work, I counted on this check to supplement while I healed. I have a family and bills I have to pay and have been unable to cash my check for over a month. I am now being told, by a check cashing company, that I need to have my check reissued. I have been unable to get ahold of ANYONE at this company. I have been on hold for an hour and a half, unable to speak to anyone, and the phone line just hung up. I was on hold again for another 45 minutes and someone actually answered. As soon as I said I needed my tax refund check reissued, they hung up. I called again. Waited on hold for an another 35 minutes, then when someone answered, they immediately hung up. I have tried different phone numbers for this company. I have tried to email them a request, I have tried to call *************** which is who they bank through. I have contacted Turbo Tax. No one can/knows how to help me. I am now in desperate need of this money and its been over a month.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/04/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I have been waiting for my refund check since 03/23/2022. It was rejected by my bank and I was told I would be receiving a paper check. After jumping through hoops, because the information was unclear, I found out that SBTPG is the one who would be mailing my check. I called them and was told to email their customer service team for a reissue form in early June because the check was mailed out. However, it was never received. I emailed them, and I still have not received a response. I have called and sent multiple emails, I cannot get a response. Finally, I called on 08/03/2022 and was told that I would be receiving a reissue form by email within 24 hours. I still have not received that form. I am frustrated and I just want the money that is rightfully mine.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/04/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I filed my taxes using turbo tax and put the account to where said return amount was supposed to go to as my savings account. I used the option to pay for using turbo tax using money from my return, so the money wen to the Santa ****** tax products group. I wasnt aware my bank closed my account due to inactivity, so the sbtpg sent out a cashiers check on may 6th-9th. I still have yet to receive it. My tax return amount is a little over $7,487. Id like to get the money. I have tried calling and no one would answer, Ive even been on hold for an hour and a half and after so long it just disconnected.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/04/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I filed my income tax with Turbo tax in March. Santa Barbara Tax product group was suppose to direct deposit the money in my bank account. The bank rejected my refunded for an unknown reason. Tax Product group said they mailed the check to the mailing address on my tax return in April. I never received it. I was told to fill out an indemnity bond, which I did. In early June, I received an email stating a new check has been sent out and I should receive it in 7 to 10 business days. It is August 4, 2022, and I still have not received my check in the mail. The mailing address on my return is correct. I have tried calling the bank everyday and they hang up on me. I want my tax return and they need to be held accountable for this

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/04/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  6/6/22 this place did my taxes and have been telling me they sent a check in June and then another one and its been months and I havent gotten my tax return check back yet and its so hard to get in touch with anyone and its money that I need to pay bills and get through life

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/04/2022

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I went through turbo tax for my income taxes in 2020 well I made a mistake and had to amend them so they were accepted and everything well stpg sent the money to a bank details they had on file well it had been closed so they tried mailing me 2 checks of course to the wrong address and now they are holding my money and was supposed to have already sent it back to the irs. It's a good chunk of money and I've had my power turned off and being evicted so I could use it since I worked hard for it.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/04/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This unfortunately is my second complaint. I started this journey in April of 2022. SBTXG has failed to respond in a timely manner unless a complaint is filed. They claim higher volumes of requests but it was months before I received my first response. They claim to have attempted to deposit my refund in April but the bank rejected it. My bank has confirmed that did not happen. They then said they attempted a cashiers check which I never received despite the address being correct. They asked me to fill out an ibond on 7/11 and have it notarized so they could cancel that check and cut me a new one. I did that asap and on 7/15 through the BBB website they confirmed they received it and asked for **** business days to reissue the check. It has been past that allotted time and still no check. Then yesterday I received an email from the company saying they just received my complaint (the original one I sent to their website), gave me the same runaround about the steps they took listed above, and asked me to fill out an Ibond to stop payment on the check they originally submitted. As stated, I have already done this. I let them know that and showed proof of submission and confirmation of receiving it. I then asked them to please clarify if this was a mistake and if they actually had NOT reissued the check as they stated they had. I have received no communication back, no reissued check, and stayed on hold for an HOUR trying to get a live person. I hope ***** Tax seriously considers using another group to issue their refunds as I am not the only one with a complaint.