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Business Profile

Bill Paying Services

Santa Barbara Tax Products Group

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Bill Paying Services.

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 929 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 160 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

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.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/04/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    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 through turbotax and I entered the wrong account number, so I was supposed to receive a check. Instead, sptpg has been holding my money since June 5 when then bank returned it. When I login on the website is says my checks were printed on 07/26/2022. But I haven't received anything.

    Business Response

    Date: 11/09/2022

    November 8, 2022

    Dear *************************,
    This letter is in response to a complaint filed against Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG) through the
    Better Business Bureau on August 4, 2022.
    We reviewed your concerns. We appreciate the opportunity to respond and regret that your expectations
    were not met.
    TPG attempted to contact you on November 7, 2022, and November 8, 2022. However, all attempts were
    unsuccessful. Because the above-referenced complaint matter addresses potentially sensitive or
    confidential information, TPG requests that you contact TPG directly for further assistance. Additionally,
    TPG could not locate your record with the information submitted through your complaint. Therefore, we
    ask that you provide additional information, such as one of the below items, to help further assist you:
    1. Email submitted when filing
    2. Address submitted when filing
    3. Phone Number submitted when filing

    For any additional questions or concerns, please contact TPG directly at ************, Monday through
    Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm PST.
    Respectfully,
    TPG ********************

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/02/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    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 amended return with turbo tax on 6/23/22, I opted to have my processing fees deducted from my refund, thus resulting in me doing business with SBTPG. The irs sent my refund direct deposit to SBTPG on 7/7/22 however I was t made aware of the company having my funds this long, hence when questioned as to why I hadnt been informed my refund was received by them Supervising Agent ****** ID # **** stated the SBTPG does not call tax payers or send any correspondence until 3-5 months of them having ones tax refund on hold, despite the *** sending me mail correspondence stating Id receive a paper check for my refund in 3 weeks. I now today more than a month after SBTPG received my refund I am being told by this god awful company that I must wait to see what the outcome of my refund being on hold will be, I was informed that due to my refund being 26+K was more than they were expecting to receive. As I mentioned to this company, I had an intitial refund filed back in April of 2022 and received that refund of 1,910$ In May of 2022, by paper check from the irs. The refund on hold with SBTPG IS FOR AN AMENDED RETURN! you would think that since this company works with turbo tax and the irs everyone would be on the same page and tax payer wouldnt have to suffer due to their mishandling and poor communication systems they share! It appears that this company is under the impression that the refund they expected to receive of 1,910$ is what should have been received however as I stated that is not the case, I have already gotten my refund for that dollar amount by mail from the irs back in May 2022 and the refund that this company is failing to provide me adequate information about is an amended return, its baffling that they dont know that and leaves me to financially suffer!! I need my money and a response asap Im regards to how to obtain it! The Security measures this company is taking is a complete disservice to tax payers when filing an amended return!!

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/02/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    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.
    Sbtpg received my refund from irs June 14th 2022 I called and emailed sbtpg over and over and still havent received my money or any help they stated my check was mailed June 15th 2022 and its now august 2nd 2022 and still nothing

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/02/2022

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    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 tax return for 2020 in October 2021, but I have not yet received my refund. Several times I have tried to contact the company, and they have told me they would email me a document to sign. I haven't received my tax refund and they are robbing me of it because I can't get a hold of anyone that will help me.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/02/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    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 state income tax and my preparer used this tax product to deduct and re issue my fees. Its been weeks and theyre claiming they cant find my money my refund of $3626. My state comptroller confirmed the funds were sent and even provided me a transaction number and the tax bank is claiming they cannot trace it. I want my refund. None of this is my fault and Im getting the run around.

    Business Response

    Date: 08/25/2022

    August 22, 2022

    Dear ***********************,
    This letter is in response to the complaint filed against ************ ****** through the Better Business
    Bureau on August 16, 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
    preparation fees from their federal or state tax refund rather than paying their tax preparation fees at the
    time of filing. 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.
    According to our records, on January 24, 2022, TPG received your electronic submittal through the tax
    preparation office, ********************* This means that the option to utilize a Refund Transfer to pay the
    software fees was elected in lieu of paying via credit card at the time of filing. The *** approved your
    refund and made payment to TPG in the amount of the $11,029.00. TPG confirmed your federal refund
    was successfully deposited to the account on record on February 24, 2022.
    On July 15, 2022, the ***************** approved your refund and made payment to TPG in the amount
    of $3,626.00. Your State refund was delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. There are certain
    circumstances where a refund cannot be delivered to a taxpayer as expected. The funds could not post
    due to changed file formats by ****************** This caused delays as items had to be manually
    processed. Your record fell into this category. TPG has confirmed that your refund was returned to the
    State effective August 17, 2022. The outgoing trace number *************** will allow you confirm
    receipt of the funds at the State.
    For any additional questions or concerns, you may contact TPG directly at ************, Monday through
    Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.

    Respectfully,
    TPG ********************

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/02/2022

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    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.
    On 5/4/22 I received my tax refund, directly deposited into my checking account, which was 110 dollars less than I expected. It came from Santa Barbara Tax Products Group. I used EZ Tax Return to file electronically. I was not informed that SBTPG worked with or owned EZ Tax Return, or that a fee was going to be deducted. I paid EZ Tax Return their fee of ***** and I thought that was the end of it.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/02/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    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.
    The Irs for some strange reason or another send my income tax return to this company TPG. I filed through Free Tax ***.com and I had to mail in my return because I got custody of my granddaughter and could not do it efile it because I had to mail in court documents. So I print the return and sent it to the **** The return I mail had my original account number on it (upload 3), but my return got sent to Santa Barbara tax product group (upload 3 3 ). When I contacted the **** they said they don't know why it got sent to TPG because on my mail in return it has my MetaBank account and routing number on it. The check my refund status on TPG keep saying no account (upload 5, 6 ). For going on to weeks now I tried emailing TPG with no response or even an email saying that they acknowledge me sending them an email (upload 1, 2 ). I tried calling them but I am told that my Social Security number is wrong. So I finally got someone on the phone and then tried to find my account, but was still told it do not assist. The *** told me that they have not returned the money or rejected the money, and to get in contact with them about my refund (upload 8 ). I contacted freetaxusa.com and it said that since I mailed in my return TPG would receive my refund and send it back to the *** since I could not efile it (uploaded 9, 10 ). Please forgive me BBB and Santa Barbara Tax Product Group (TPG) I don't mean to have to bother either of you, but I need help with this matter because I can not get in contact with or get a response from your company. Again please forgive me. My address is *******************************************************************

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:07/31/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    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 RECENTLY USED TURBO TAX TO FILE MY TAXES AFTER A ELECTRONIC DEPOSITED INTO MY BANK ACCOUNT FAILED IT WAS THEN RETURNED TO SANTA BARBARA TAX GROUP. SANTA ***** TAX GROUP ISSUED ME A CHECK HOWEVER I NEVER RECEIVED IT. I CONTACTED SANTA ***** TAX GROUP AND I WAS INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE A INDEMINTY BOND FORM. I COMPLETED THIS FORM AND RETURNED WHERE I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT A NEW CHECK WOULD BE ISSUED IN 3 DAYS. HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED AFTER WAITING FOR OVER A HOUR I SPOKE WITH A AGENT WHO THEN INFORMED ME THAT SHE WOULD FORWARD THE FORM OVER WHICH IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE I SUBMITTED THE FORM AND RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION EMAIL. ALSO I ASKED THE AGENT FOR TRACKING WHEN MY CHECK IS RE ISSUED AND THE AGENT TOLD ME SORRY WE DONT DO THAT ANY MORE. HOWEVER BASED ON BBB COMPLAINTS RESPONEDED TO BY SANTA ***** TAX GROUP THEY IN FACT CAN PROVIDE TRACKING. I AM ASKING THAT MY REFUND CHECK BE REISSUED IN A TIMELY ALONG AND TRACKING BE PROVIDED WHEN THE CHECK IS MAILED. MY PHONE NUMBER IS **********

Santa Barbara Tax Products Group is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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