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:10/06/2022

  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 2021 Taxes with Turbo Tax as I have been doing since 2014. I received confirmation that my taxes were deposited into my bank account on 3/2/22. As of 10/6/22, I have not received my federal taxes. I have been getting the run around, been VERY patient and now I'm very frustrated. I was told a paper check was sent to me on April 26, 2022, May 17, 2022, May 24, 2022. I never received my check!! I have been on the phone with the *** on several occasions and they have said that the matter is not on them that I will have to continue contact with SBTPG and I am still getting the runaround. On top of that they took and extra $30 to send my check back to the ***??? Why is am I being charged for something that could've been rectified months ago? All I want is MY MONEY and at this rate, I feel like I won't be getting my money till I file my taxes for 2022.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/06/2022

  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.

  SBTPG STILL HOLDING 2020 FEDERAL REFUND AFTER VERIFYING IRS HAS RELEASED FUNDS AND SENT ANOTHER CHECK. THEY STOLE $7800 FROM ME AND MY CHILDREN THEY ARE CROOKS AND THIS IS A FAKE SCAMMING COMPANY

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/05/2022

  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 am filing a complaint with this company Santa Barbara Tax Products Group. They are liars . I have been getting lied to and given the run around for so long now. My tax refund was rejected by my bank due to my middle initial. Instead of going directly back to irs it went to their billing company. Im not even sure who these people are because *** never dealt with them or had this issue. I was told my refund check was sent out 9/2/22 never received it. Im then told I have to pay to get form notarized in order for them to send a second check which I did. Im then told a second check was sent 9/29/2022. By 10/05/2022 which is today ** told my refund will be mailed back to the irs and this takes 90 days for them to receive. I a first so heartbroken and upset because I dont believe they ever even sent out my checks. Two checks being lost in the mail is not believable to me at all. I have informed delivery so I know it was never ** received or sent back by the post office. Once I am told that it will be sent back Im told they will add my name to list of people who returns need to be sent back to irs and they will get to it when they can. I am apart of ******** group of over 500+ people who have said they sit on people money for months before they send it back to irs as well as they only send money once a month . This leads me to believe that it will be weeks to months before they care or send my back . Then another **************************************************************************************************************************** the truth through this whole process. Thank you for reviewing my concerns and I hope you can help !

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/04/2022

  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 tax return through turbo tax and had them deduct the cost of the return from my refund (which i will never do EVER AGAIN)!. The *** took 5 months to give me my refund and increased my refund to include all of the estimated tax payments that I have made during the current year. So, the refund amount is much larger than the original amount. I got an email from Turbo Tax on 9/20/22 that said my refund was finally on its way and a letter from the ***. 3 weeks goes by and no refund. So I call the ***. They say it went to Green **** Then I call Turbo Tax. They said that the refund was already deposited and tell me to contact my bank and see if its on hold. My bank says they need a trace # to track it down because they don't have anything.So I call turbo tax again and they say I have to contact santa barbara tax products, but Santa Barbara has absolutely NO CONTACT INFORMATION!!!!! When I go on their website, all I get is a message saying that my refund was deposited! THERES NO ONE TO GIVE ME THE ***** #. THESE CROOKS ARE HOLDING ON TO MY MONEY AND EARNING INTEREST ON IT WHILE THEY GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND!!!!This needs to END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/04/2022

  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 filled my taxes April of 2020 with TurboTax, which I never received, months after I was told it was issued. I got in contact with TurboTax to find out where the funds went, they then gave my TPG number, my life has been h*** since. TPG supposed to send the refund back to IRS because on 05/18/2022 they claimed them issued a check that I never received, then they claimed that they cant resend the check so it will be in process to go back to the irs. TPG just keep telling me to check after three weeks, I did and they told me the same thing. They never seem to have any information and they hang up on you when they see why you are calling! please if you can advise me to whom to contact. I need to take an action. against them. I was waiting for my refund for more than two years. First, they claim that they have sent me a check which they never did. they have played this game with so many clients as I saw them on the company reviews. I don't know why Turbo Tax allowed TPG to handle clients refund. This is the worst experience I ever countered.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/14/2022

  November 9, 2022

  Dear *****************************,

  This letter is in response to the complaint against Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG) through the
  Better Business Bureau on October 4, 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
  Green ******** 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 Green ******** to receive a direct deposit of the
  taxpayers federal and/or state tax refund from the *** or state tax authority. The Green ******** account
  is opened when Green ******** receives the taxpayers federal or state tax refund. When Green ********
  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. Green ******** 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 May 6, 2022, TPG received your electronic submittal through the online do-
  it-yourself software provider, Turbotax.com. 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. When TPG received
  your refund from the ***, it was deposited to your account designated at the time of filing (Account
  number ********** and Routing *********). You may reference the Disbursement Methods section 7
  of your ** Service Agreement to confirm your submitted account information.

  Unfortunately, your financial institution rejected the funds, declared the account an R02/ Account
  Closed, and returned your funds to TPG. Therefore, TPG began the process of making a second attempt
  to disburse funds. Please keep in mind that the receiving bank rejects the transaction if a taxpayer enters
  a bank account that will not accept the refund deposit. Once TPG receives the rejected refund, TPG
  attempts to disburse funds to you via a Cashiers Check to your address on record: ****************************************************************, 33004.

  TPG confirmed that the check mailed to the above-mentioned address was returned as undeliverable.
  TPG will not process any address or account changes to disburse your tax refund due to the risk of
  fraudulent diversion of tax refunds. TPG will process your tax return with the next batch of items approved
  to be wired to the ***, which may take up to sixteen (16) weeks or longer. Once the *** approves your
  funds to be returned, they will provide TPG with an *** lead number. TPG will forward the lead number
  to your email address, **************************** You may contact the *** directly at ************
  and provide the lead number to check the status of your refund or go to www.irs.gov for further details
  or seek assistance from a Taxpayer Advocate in your State.
  
  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 Complaint Department

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/04/2022

  Type:Order 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.

  My amendment was filed on 06/13/2022. On August 12th, 2022 the *** sent me a letter that my amendment was adjusted and completed.I called the *** on around Friday September 23, 2022 and they stated that the money was deposited into the bank on 07/20/2022. I reached out to Santa Barbara(TPG) on The same day. They stated they sent the money back to the *** on September 14th, 2022.Ive been calling everyday between the *** and TPG bank and the *** is saying the money has not been returned. I cant get any assistance from TPG. I found a number to speak to someone directly and they only read the online information that it was returned when it wasnt. TPG had my money since July 20,22 and never attempted to deposit the money in my bank accounting. I reached out to my bank and no attempts to deposit the money. Their online site shows the correct banking information. Why would they hold the money from July to September and not send out a check. Also every time I call they explains as if Im calling about my taxes being done in March and not speaking to the amendment done in June.There was a ************ number that is an automative number. I found a direct line that number is ************. I pray someone can please help me wit this.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/03/2022

  Type:Order 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 company refused to send me a check for my federal tax return. The *** gave them my money on July 20, 2022 in the amount of $1934. Tax products group also known as Santa Barbaras bank has had my money since then but will not issue a paper check.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/03/2022

  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.

  The *** electronically sent my tax return to SBTPG on 09/28/22. Today is October 3 and they are claiming to not have received it when electronic transfers only take ***** hours to process. So I decided to give them a call and I spoke to the rudest person named ***** who ended up hanging up on me even I voiced a concern about how they false advertised in their website saying they initiate the refund process 2 days before your DDD when the *** notifies them they are going to process the return to ensure you will get your refund on the same date the WHERES MY REFUND website indicates. Well this is WRONG because my date was September 28 and here I am days later with nothing. The least ***** could have done was explain their refund process instead of rudely hanging up on me. And unfortunately for me, I see that Im not alone in my nightmare with this company. Something needs to be done!

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/01/2022

  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 with TaxSlayer.com in January. I was charged for their support and my return was still amended. I got no support while filing. When I call in March to ask where payment was, I was asked to call back in an hour. After several calls, emails to support and two indemnity forms asking for the check to be reissued, I have not received payment and I get no reply in email. The post office and mail carrier have confirmed that no check from Tax Slayers third party payer Santa Barbara Tax Product Group..

  Business Response

  Date: 10/25/2022

  October 24, 2022
  
  Dear *************************,

  This letter is in response to the complaint against Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG) through the
  Better Business Bureau on October 2, 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 February 21, 2022, TPG received your electronic submittal through the online
  do-it-yourself software provider, Taxslayer.com. 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. When TPG
  received your refund from the ***, it was deposited into a temporary, non-interest-bearing account; we
  deducted the fees for the tax preparation and ** service and deposited the remaining balance to your
  account designated at the time of filing (Routing Number: ********* and Account Number:
  ***************. You may reference the Disbursement Methods section 7 of your Refund Transfer
  Service Agreement to confirm your submitted account information.

  Unfortunately, your financial institution, Go2bank, rejected the funds, declared the account an R03/ No
  Account/Unable to Locate Account, and returned your funds to TPG. Therefore, TPG began the process
  of making a second attempt to disburse funds. Please keep in mind that the receiving bank rejects the
  transaction if a taxpayer enters a bank account that will not accept the refund deposit. Once TPG received
  the rejected refund, TPG made another attempt to disburse funds to you via a Cashiers Check to your
  address on record: **************************************, 72701.

  TPG confirmed that a check was mailed to the address mentioned above. Then, you notified TPG that you
  did not receive the check. TPG confirmed that an Indemnity Bond (*****) form was provided to you to
  complete and submit back to TPG to reissue a new check. The ***** allows you to confirm your address
  and stop payment of the original check. TPG requires the ***** to be notarized to validate your identity.
  TPG received the ***** and reissued the check to your address on record.

  On October 20, 2022, check number: ******** was returned as undeliverable. After multiple failed
  attempts, TPG cannot disburse the refund check to you successfully. TPG will not process any address or
  account changes to disburse your tax refund due to the risk of fraudulent diversion of tax refunds. The
  refund will need to be returned to the ***.

  The process of receiving returned mail and reprocessing the item for return to the *** may take several
  weeks. Once we can confirm the item was returned, this will initiate the return process and the funds can
  be wired in the next available batch, which may take up to sixteen weeks or longer. Once the *** approves
  your funds to be returned, they will provide TPG with an *** lead number. TPG will forward the lead
  number to your email address, ************************ It is recommended that you allow the allotted
  time and contact the *** directly at ************ or go to www.irs.gov for further details or to seek
  assistance from a Taxpayer Advocate in your State.

  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 Complaint Department

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/28/2022

  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 filled my taxes through turbo tax , I received my State refund in my banking account but when it came time to receive my fed my bank rejected it due to there being a name difference. A week or so later I was told I would be receiving a check in the mail , just like everyone else I have yet to receive anything and I dont think I will . I dont understand how this is being allowed to continuously be done I just need a resolution and one quick !