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:10/04/2022

  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 reached out to ***************************'s office for assistance with a tax issue and some advice. When I called I spoke to his secretary who said they could help me. I was required to give a $300.00 deposit to retain the services and was told that should cover the costs, when I expressed feeling that was a lot of money to pay upfront and inquired about how much more I would be required to pay. *** said that in order to help me with my concern, he would firstly need to complete 2021 taxes. I agreed, trusting his process. When he completed my taxes, his secretary called me letting me know that my taxes were complete and that they would be sent to me for signature once final payment was received. I was a little stumped, how do I owe more than $300, since *** had only completed my ****************************************** with my other concern. However, I asked her how I owned, and she said $475.00. I thought that another $175.00 excessive for the amount of work completed and said so I owe $175 more? She then told me that the total bill was $775.00 for completion of my taxes! $450 prep fee, $225 Computer processing fee and $100 for an additional return. There was absolutely zero transparency regarding the costs when I first spoke their office. Currently, late charges have been added to the remaining balance and I am now being sent to his attorneys regarding the outstanding amount. His charges and costs are well above the norms of tax preparation for one year! Also, his collection efforts border on harassing.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/04/2022

  Dear BBB,

  We are a CPA firrm which provide quality accounting and tax services to individual and business clients. We have been in business 40 years and are very experienced. We had contacted *********************************** to prepare taxes for her and her husband. We explained, in no uncertain and clear terms, our billing was based on hourly rates plus costs. She presented a situation that was fairly straightforward, so we reduced our initial retainer request to ******, an amount we require up front to start doing tax work. We submitted an engagement letter to *******************************, a copy of which is attached. She signed the letter indicating she clearly understood our hourly rates and billing practices, and requirements to complete her tax return.

   

  She delayed on producing information which caused the return to take additional time. Then she asked me to prepare her son's return, and provided me his W-2. As this information is client confidential, I cannot provide the file but will do so in court. I completed her sons return and her and her husband's return, and indicated the return was ready for pickup and that she owed an additional ****** for the two returns. When she complained, I offered to reduce the bill by ****** to settle the matter. The request was further met with silence. We continued to pursue collection as we had the return ready to mail.

   

  She decided to go to another accountant to prepare her return, and left us with a completed job which she refuses to pick up and pay for. This is a civil matter, and we WILL be pursuing this in a court of law. We have already turned the matter over to a collection attorney who will be in touch with her shortly. 

   

  Please review the contract attached, and dismiss the complaint. This case is being prepared for litigation. I offered to settle the bill for ****** and deliver the return to her (and there is packaging and postage costs I have to incur as well), and her complaint to the BBB will insure that I expedite this matter. I informed her that upon a favorable disposition, she will be liable for all costs of litigation.

   

  Please review the attached contract and dismiss the case. Please feel free to contact me if you need further information. Thank you.

   

  Kenneth Rapoport

  Kenneth P. Rapoport CPA, Ltd.

  **************