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American Tax Relief

4801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles

Mark of Chico, CA August 8, 2007

Mark of Chico CA (08/08/07)
I contacted ATR in response to a direct mail solicitation. Eli guaranteed me that they could resolve my tax problems. He used pressure sales tactics to get me to agree to allow him to deduct 3000 from my bank account before the conversation was over.

The next day I contacted my accountant. My accountant had recently hired a former high-level IRS manager who had been personally responsible for approving/denying OICs. My accountant said his firm would handle the case for the same amount that I had paid ATR, and throw in tax prep for three years besides.

I immediately called ATR to ask for a refund. They said that my 24-hour refund period had lapsed. I told them that I was going to have my accountant do the OIC anyway. They said, fine, you have a fully paid-up account with us when you decide you need our help.

I got burned by my accountant, who after three years had still not filed my OIC and who billed me 14,000 for services NOT rendered. Everytime I gave him the documents he requested, no action was taken; the information would become obsolete and I would do all the research again...I had the distinct feeling I was dealing with a crew of alcoholics. But, back to ATR...

After I fired my accountant I called back ATR and reminded them of my fully paid up account. In the meantime penalties had accrued and my case had ballooned to where I owed over 200K. The ATR rep said that since it was much larger case necessitating more work they had to charge another 5000. I told them that they did not have my permission to charge more funds, and since they refused to honor their word they did not have permission to work on the case---I prefer to deal with people who are honorable.

Later, to be safe, I checked with my bank and ATR Had taken 1000 from my account, which the bank retrieved from them. I actually closed the account and opened a new one to protect myself from ATR.

So, after spending 6000 on two different white-collar bandit firms I decided to file the OIC myself. It took me about 5 solid days of work. I researched and found software on the web that cost 100 and that helped automate the process of filling out the forms; it's the software that your accountant would use if you hired him/her to do the job. I bought some books that helped. I called the IRS numerous times and with each call I was given another hint, another tiny clue that helped me stay on course. After I filed the Offer I completed myself it was accepted; I negotiated a 33K settlement on at 216K debt.

YOU CAN DO THIS YOURSELF.

Also, know this: it doesn't matter how large your debt to the IRS is, the amount of work to fill out the OIC forms is exactly the same for a 10K debt as it is for a multi-million debt (although of course sorting out accounts will be more complex if you're the type of person with lots of money).

I was ripped off for 3000 by ATR, and for 3000 by my accountant.

Leslie of Houston, TX July 20, 2007

Leslie of Houston TX (07/20/07)
big promises, little delivery; As POA for my mother I contacted this compamy to help reduce a 32K dollar IRS debt. I paid them 4700 dollars and the only thing they did was set up a payment plan. The IRS took every penny she had out of her bank account, and is still putting a lien on her condo. this women is 80, suffers from Alzheimers, and lives in a care home. There was no reduction of fees, interest, or total amount due.

Now every penny plus is taken paying the care home and IRS. There isn't even enough left over to pay the minimun balance due on the credit card that paid the tax relief company.

Michael of Cedarville, AR July 6, 2007

Michael of Cedarville AR (07/06/07)
I payed American Tax Relief 5,300 in late July of 2005 for representation to the IRS. My tax debt at that time was 60,036. I got notices from the IRS in June of this year saying they now wanted 76,680.

When I got last year's notice from the IRS, I called ATR and they had me send it to them saying don't worry and let us do our job. I did because this is what I paid for.

After more than 30 phone calls in the month of June of this year (before and after recieving more notices from the IRS) and NOT ONE return, I contacted the IRS (I have names and numbers) and was told that ATR had only contacted them about my case three times (with the most recent one being in February of 2006). I sent cancellations of their Power of Attorney to represent me (to ATR and the IRS) and began talking directly to the IRS to get this over with.

My tax liability has, under ATR's direct compensated involvement to avoid, has not only not been addressed but has grown approximately 17,000.

Why are they not accountable and why can someone not hold them responsible for monetary damages?

Besides the original 5,300 for services never rendered, my tax liability has, under ATR's direct compensated involvement to avoid, has not only gone un-addressed but has grown approximately 17,000.

Two years later and a 28% increase in my tax liability because of these fools. It's safe to say that they did exactly what they set out to do and cost me money. Not only what they took in the beginning but then making it grow by ignoring the IRS while telling me and my wife don't worry about it. Let us do what you paid us to do.

Joe of Beulah, ND June 26, 2007

Joe of Beulah ND (06/26/07)
I also owed money to the IRS and called ATR. They said they would save me at least half of what I owed. 15000. Took over two years and finally got a reply from the IRS telling me to pay the tax in full. As far as I am concerned they did nothing for me.

Michael of Cedarville, AR June 15, 2007

Michael of Cedarville AR (06/15/07)
I paid 5,300 in late July of 2005 to American Tax relief for representation. My tax liability was just over 50,000 when I contacted these people. It has now been 22 months since first contact and they won't return a phone call. I've left approximately 32 messages (with Stacey Brandon and a supervisor named Hadji Chana) in the last ten working days.

My latest notice from the IRS has my tax liability at approximately 77,000. I called the IRS today (Friday 15 June 2007)and their representative said that ATR's Stacey Brandon had contacted them in December of 2005, and twice in February of 2006. That's a total of three calls on my behalf in 22 months and seemingly no attempt at resolution whatsoever.

The econimic damage is obvious. My tax liability has grown since they got my 5,300 and I'm now in debt over this up to about 82,000. My income is less than 40,000 per year and my wife doesn't work.

At a minimum I feel like American Tax Relief owes me my original 5,300 (plus interest and penalties) plus the difference of what I owed when I contracted with these people. At the most, they can pay my back taxes plus punitive damages. They misrepresented themselves and would not talk to myself or my wife during this process except to tell us we're going to take care of this for you, just relax. This has been a tremendous stress on my wife, our marriage, and our lives.

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