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Rafael of Delray Beach FL (06/11/08)
I filed my 2006 and 2007 Taxes Jiontly with my wife and I just recieved my 2007 return for $ 1,946.00 about a week ago However I am having issues with my 2006 and I was just informed by the IRB office that I owe them over $ 7,000.00 because of a problem with our withholding taxes are not applied in the US but instead in the US Virgin Islands
H & R Block was explained in both 2006 -07 that I am a retired Govt. employee of the Virgin Islands ( St.Thomas ) and that my wife works with a company from the V.I. but with a Boca Raton FL. address In both 2006-07 we were supose to get refunded but instead we have problems and I have left two or three messages with H & R Block and noone has replied H & R Block was payed for services.
We migth have to pay amount that are in reason and I have submitted my taxes filed by H & bR Block to FAFSA for my sons finances and all the filing is incorrect and my wife and me are very frustrated and just want to end this ordeal. In my past 23 years I never had problems until I filed my last 2 years with H&R Block
Tyrone of Chicago IL (05/06/08)
I contact my local H&R Block office to file my taxes. I call ahead to make sure it won't be too expensive. The woman I speak with informs me that the costs depend on how sophisticated and involved my return is. I explain that I have two W-2s from my two jobs in 2007, and she tells me that my fee will be $80. Great. I arrive on time for my scheduled meeting.
After an hour, my presence is acknowledged and the same woman I spoke with earlier on the phone finally sits down to help me. She has no idea what she's doing. She is fumbling through screens, getting error messages, yelling across the room to her more seasoned co-worker to ask questions, unable to answer any of my rudimentary questions about my return, and generally gives me the impression that this is her first day on the job and that I should feel zero confidence that my return is being filed correctly. After an hour of this, I finally get the number I owe to the government...and to H&R Block.
That will be $355, she says. She must be kidding me. I remind her that I called earlier that day and of the price she quoted me. She feels badly, so calls someone, who agrees to let her give me $45 off of my $355 total. I tell her what I think of her service and her attempt to atone for it. I leave scathing mad. I call the 1-800 number to file a complaint. They tell me someone will contact me. No one does. I got people? That's true, I do - they're incompetent, manipulative, and the shadiest business I've ever had the displeasure of patronizing.
Mari of Los Angeles CA (05/04/08)
i took my tax materials to company, h&r block. they did not inform me of their rates. i also did not ask. the accountant tax advisor did my taxes. when finished she presented me with a bill for $694. i was shocked but thought i must be obligated to pay. i had no idea taxes could be so much to have done - it was my first time. i did have an estate due to a trust my father left me that i have no access to funds from yet. i understand that taxes with estate trusts are complicated to prepare.
However, i later found out private accountant can do them for as little as $300! i had no refund on my taxes, although i had almost no income (below the minimum for being taxed and even having to file !) i could not receive the tax rebate offered for 2007 by the IRS, according to my accountant there.
i had to pay this high fee on top of having almost no income. it was quite difficult for me. needless to say, i am in debt now as i had to put it on my credit card with other debt. is there anything i can do? are there any fee guidelines or can anyone charge anything without informing in advance of performing services?
Cynthia of Gaffney SC (04/22/08)
They did our taxes & because we had a 1099,they charged us $485.00 to do them .I felt that this was too much,so I called the I.R.S.& was informed that they did charge too much.What am I suppose to do?We really needed that money.I have heard that they have overcharged a lot of people.They need to be made to refund part of their fees.
Because of the huge fee,we were not able to pay the billswe had planned to pay.I just wish someone could help.
Henry of Boston MA (03/21/08)
H&R Block Bait and Switch: I went to H&R Block to have my federal and state returns completed. At the initial interview, I asked how much it would cost and was told it would be about $200 due to the complexity of the forms. I agreed to this cost and gave the preparer my information. The preparer was apparently not qualified to handle one of my state returns, and told me that my return would be completed by someone else; so she would contact me when they were complete. After two weeks, I had yet to hear from H&R Block, so I called. I found that nothing had been done with my return. My preparer claimed it was because additional information was needed, and requested I come back in. I did, more because I thought the only way they would finish would be for me to watch them do it. I did not provide any additional information, and the federal return was completed at that time, although the state returns still had to be prepared by someone else. At the end of this session, I was asked to pay $337, an increase of 70% of the price I was quoted. I was told the increase was due to having state returns and owing a balance on my federal return.
Since they had all my forms, I paid; but within an hour, feeling that the difference between quoted and actual price was too much, I called back to cancel. I was told it was too late because they had filed the federal return already. Separately, they have signs around the store saying that they will give you a $25 check if they do not tell you about their refer-a-friend program during the initial tax preparation visit. My tax preparer did not, so I asked about this. She told me you had to ask when you paid, in contradiction to the advertisement. At my last visit, no one had told me about the send a friend visit still, so I inquired again. She again tried to say I had to ask when I paid. But I pointed out the clear language on the ad, and she agreed that I had followed what their advertisement required. I asked if there was any form to fill out, and they said I had to call the district office. I spoke to Peter, who had claimed to be the manager in a previous conversation, and I asked for a statement saying I had followed the terms of the ad, but they refused to provide it to me. When I called the district office, they told me I had to speak to the manager of the H&R Block to get the reward. I don't think they ever intend to honor their posted advertisements.
If I had known the price would be $337, and not 200, I would not have used their services. They have promised me to send a $30 refund check to make up part of the difference, but I have not received the check.
James of West Palm Beach FL (03/12/08)
LENGTH OF TIME CLIENT HAS USED H&R BLOCK: 7 yrs. CHRONOLOGICAL STATEMENT OF FACTS: January 22, 2007: OVERCHARGED FEES and was resolved.
The H&R Block field office located at 2491-G Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, Florida, double charged (debited) fees from my checking account in the amount of $116 each or $232. They cut check # and electronically. Check was retained by H&R block and not returned to the client, me. It is noted that the Office Manager was swiping customer checks several times in the check reader. On January 26, 2008, my taxes were completed and fees were incurred in the amount of $133 with the H&R Block district office. H&R Block accepted the check, stamped it void and returned the check to me.
February 1, 2008 H&R BLOCK MISHANDLED FEES. A clerical error occurred, and the H&R Block fee payment in the amount of $133 was not received electronically. Another check was issued in the same amount to the H&R Block district office. During this process, a female named April stated that the H&R Block check had to remain at H&R Block for depositing. I refused to leave this second issued check with H&R Block due to the incident the prior year. The check was swiped through the check reader with the cash register drawer opening confirming payment had been received.
March 3, 2008 & March 12, 2008: UNRESOLVED. I received a call while at work from the H&R Block district office, a District Operations Specialist (DOS) stated that H&R Block had not received payment due to my not leaving the check with H&R Block for depositing with TeleCheck--a leading provider of paper and electronic check services. With over 40 years of experience, TeleChecks commitment to continuous innovation helps business safely and efficiently accept check payments at the point-of-sale. TeleCheck helps more than 350,000 retail, financial institutions, grocery and other industry outlets increase profitability, reduce risk and streamline operations. The DOS inquired how I was going to make the payment: CASH, credit, or a THIRD CHECK. Thoroughly disgusted with the District Manager (DM), on escalation I contacted H&R Block Client Relations Arizona, who researched and verified the electronic payment was made on 2/1/08 with time, check #, and cashier, and that the District Office needed to contact the Bookkeeping Department for H&R Block.
All H&R Block needs to do is stop requesting client reissued checks, stop double debiting checking accounts, stop harassing repeat clients, stop retaining client checks when electronic payment has already been made, and simply debit the amount electronically, as done in a good faith effort on the date of purchase. They need to fix their validaters/readers, too. All of this defeats their purpose of having a partnership with TeleCheck. I'm a responsible and educated consumer, and I won't write checks if I don't have the funds. After seven years, I'm switching to a different tax firm.
Frustration, harassment and poor customer service. I had to file an official complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
Shantise of Calumet City IL (03/12/08)
I went into the Calumet City office to file my taxes on 2-4-08. I went through the procedure of having my taxes done, but when the lady got to the fees I declined all offers. I then collected all my information (w2's), and I left the facility. I got my taxes done by a private tax person, and that was done on 2-8-08. What H&R Block quoted me I didn't get back; but what my private tax person quoted me I received.
On March 8, 2008 at 8:00 a.m., I received a call from a representative from (HSBC) through H&R Block. The representative stated that I had an outstanding balance of $803.00 from them, and I began to panic and become very nervous. I knew that I didnt create this bill; and I immediately told him that I didnt even file my taxes with H&R Block. I told him that I started to and went into the office, but I declined all offers. He immediately gave me a number to the fraud deparment who I called immediately. I then called my local police department who sent over a policemen, and he appointed me to go to the H&R Block to talk to someone there and see what they had to say.
When the facility opened up I went up there at 10:00 a.m. and spoke to Denise who asked me what the problem was; and then once she found out she appointed me to Tonya who asked for my name and ss#. I gave it to her while I was sitting down. She then went to the back of the place to look for my paperwork; and she came back looking furious because she couldnt find my paperwork at all. She then looked for my DCN number, and she couldnt find that either. She came back looking furious about this situation, also. Tonya finally called her manager (Albeta Pritchet) who was astound by the conversation that she was having with Tonya; she told her what had happened, and Alberta couldnt believe it. Alberta asked for my information and stated that she was going to contact me on Monday March 10, 2008, in the morning, once she began her investigation.
Alberta also said maybe the tax preparation lady hit the transmit button by mistake. I told her yeah right, because the lady went back to the orignial screen. She also stated that maybe the person never used the E card that they generated from this H&R Block. I knew that was a lie also because I knew no one would have gone that far and not used the card. I went home, and I did my own investigation. I got the number for the E Card, and I contacted them myself. I called several numbers until I finally got in contact with someone at this E card place. The lady took my information, and she asked me if I had the card number. I told her no because I am the victim and someone stole my identity. She asked for my information, and she told me that the card was used and where the card was used at. I then called back up to H&R block and spoke with Tonya, and I told Tonya to let Alberta know that the card was used, and I had the address of where this person went. I had to call the credit bureaus and get a fraud alert on my credit.
On Monday morning Alberta didnt call me back; I had to call her, and I was very upset. I then talked to a Ralph from the Orland Park location. He asked me what had happened and couldnt grasp this situation. Finally he caught on and told me that whatever fee I had to pay, that H&R Block was going to reimburse me. Later on that night I went to the police department to get a police report ,and they stated that they couldnt give me one because I needed some documents to prove that I was a victim of fraud. When I left the police station I immediately went to H& RBlock, and again I spoke with Denise. I asked her over and over for my paperwork and how could someone get a loan without a signature? She told me that the signature was on file. I told her that anyone could come in and get a loan without a signature. I told her that this was so because someone should have something to prove that someone forged my name and stole my identity.
I left there because I was getting upset. Wveryone at this H&R Block is a suspect to me, and I felt that they were all suspicious. I called Ralph, and I left him a message telling him to contact me in the morning, Tuesday. I then talked to Alberta and explained to her that I couldnt get a police report, and she and I suggested that I come up to the H&RBlock and call the police from here. I did called the police, and I finally received my Police report. I had to go through hell and hot water to get this. I think that everyone at H&R Block owes me an apology, and I think that I should be compensated for my pain and suffering I had to go through. The staff at H& R Block was acting so suspiciously. Please contact me asap.
Cindy of Lindstrom MN (03/09/08)
I have been an H&R Block customer for about 10 years and have never had a problem. In December I had surgery and I was off work for five weeks so I applied for H&R Block's Emerald Advance credit line that I received a mailing about. I was approved for the $500, and was told that the $500, plus interest, would be repaid from my tax refund. I was fine with that.
I got a bill in the mail in January for the $511, which I took with me to my tax appointment on 02/03/08. H&R Block took the money out of my tax refund, plus I paid the $400 for having my taxes prepared by them, and I thought that was the end of it. I have been going there for about 10 years with no problems. Imagine my surprise when I got a bill in the mail on 03/03/08 for $14.93 still owed on my Emerald Advance credit line! I called the number on the bill but I was on hold for 48 minutes so I hung up. I tried two more times and finally I went to the office where I did my taxes. The tax prepared I spoke to told me they only sell the products but they really don't know anything about them.
The next day the owner of the franchise office called me and told me that even though I paid my bill on time, the IRS delayed sending the money to H&R Block Bank so $1.12 in interest accrued and they tacked on a $13.81 finance charge. All in all, this is not a lot of money, but I did my part by paying my bill on time so I want to know what I am getting scammed for the extra $14.93! The franchise owner told me they are doing this to a lot of people, imagine all they money they are making! I will never again deal with H&R Block.
Dee of North Royalton OH (03/05/08)
My husband and I have dealt with H & R Block for at least 10 yrs, and we have never had any real problems with them. The problem this year is with H & R Block bank, they are the ones that advance you the Emerald Advance line of credit. Pay close attention to your statements. We thought we paid our advance off with our tax refund, however the amount H&R Block deducted from our refund was just shy of the amount due. We not only still owe money, but we were hit with a finance charge for that money. Upon closer examination, my balance was raised by an advance to my card that the bank says never happened, I say it never happened, yet it raised my balance more than twenty dollars and increased my finance charge. If you call the bank to find out the problem, avoid an individual named Marvin. Marvin has jokes and likes to transfer you to various voicemails of individuals with no name. How professional for a bank.
Although the extra money we have to pay isn't astronomical, my husband and I are forced to pay or risk damaging our credit report.. On a small scale the damage is between 5 to 50 dollars, on a larger scale if 1000 individuals that took out that line of credit go through the same experience we did, H&R bank is making a killing at the common taxpayer's expense.
Becky of Columbia MO (03/04/08)
The man who figured my taxes was very nice. HOWEVER, I was charged $240! How ridiculous! My adjusted gross income was below $20,000. I had one employer and one 1099 form. I think their charges are outrageous. I'm looking for another source next year.
There were no consequences other than financial hardship. I owe $5,000 in back taxes from 10 years ago so both my state and federal refunds were kept by the IRS. I paid an excess of $2000 to them. I didn't get a dime back and I had to pay $240 to do it. Am I stupid or what?
Gary of Kansas City MO (02/17/08)
I worked for H&R Block in the call center, primarily servicing the Emerald card for the past 3 months until I quit last week. I could no longer deal with the atrocities that this criminal enterprise perpetuates. I have first hand knowledge of how the employees are trained and what we were told to do in order to take advantage of the lower income people that H&R Block targets. I have compiled evidence of several things, not limited to unfair business practices, among other violations and those that appear to be crimes. I am submitting a summary of my information to the U.S. Attorney's office here at the world headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. I would love to be contacted via e mail by any attorney or individual who believes they have been victimized by these despicable vultures that call themselves corporate executives. My screen name is Gary Boley, a fictional name due to protective privacy measures I must take due to being an ex-employee.
Lives were turned upside down due to many defects in the Emerald Mastercard and the way that it is presented to the less educated and the lower economic class.
Joan of Chicago IL (02/15/08)
H&R Block makes you pay a fee of $20 if you do not accept to have your refund put onto an emerald card. This card does not have your name on it. It states you are an H&R block client. We were able to use it for the first couple of days. Please note that fees apply to get money out of ATM's--larger than normal fees. Well, our money all of a sudden (as of yesterday) is not available. My husband called and was hung up on by a rep. I called and was told it should be up and running in about 2 hours, that their systems at Mastercard were temporarily down. Well here it is another day: No money.
I called again and after a 25 minute hold, I was rudely told that they are down still and will hopefully be able to use my card soon. I can't tell my 10-month-old baby she can hopefully eat tomorrow or that my rent will hopefully be in by the 1st. We count on this money. They have fees to get it out and then a hold on it and no real explanation why. My 8-year commitment to H&R Block is broken.
Pat of Louisville KY (02/15/08)
We took our info to H & R Block to have our taxes done. The girl started entering info in the computer and then stated she did not know enough about annuities to do this herself. She said she was going to send it to another office that day for them to do. I called back a week later, and she stated that she had been sick and not been able to send it. I then called back again after another 3 days and was told that it had been sent to another office. I was also advised at that time that it looked like we were going to get a refund.
Finally I was contacted after 2 weeks, and after a threat to take my taxes elsewhere, a lady stated that she had gotten the info that morning but needed more info. She called me later and advised me that the taxes were done and that we had to pay $1500.00 in taxes. After 2 weeks of waiting they charged us $263.00 to fill our taxes out. We lost all around on this, and I will not take my taxes back to them ever after this experience.
Debra of Hutchinson KS (02/13/08)
I was pushed into obtaining my refund check on their emerald caster card even when I said that I was not comfortable doing so. They could not answer any of my questions because the preparers don't really know how it works either. They are just instructed to go over the highlights of it very briefly. Once I was signed on with it there was no turning back. It is a pain to activate and it takes the maximum amount of time allotted to get it. Once it's on there, you cannot get it back out without service charges. If you want the entire sum, it will cost you $20.00 for their trouble? Otherwise, $1.85 every ATM transaction that occurs with limited amounts that can be drawn. Which by the way, you won't know until it's activated. I called to see if once they get my refund check, and the bank could put a hold on the card and sent my actual check back to the office that did my taxes but that is not an option. I understand that some folks don't have bank accounts but if that's the case, they need to advertise it as such and should CLEARLY state what the charges are.
None. Just perturbed and want to share this experience with others so that they don't get scammed by an H & R Block preparer to put money in their bank!
Sjw of Omha NE (02/13/08)
I have my taxes prepared by H&R Block each and every year. I can honestly say that I have never had any problems when using their tax services. Until last Friday, I had never filed rapid for my tax return. This year, I decided to use the Emerald Card that they offer. I need some cash really quickly. I haven't had a problem with my card. I am happy. After reading all the bad reports that other consumers have had, I just hope that I don't start to have any issues. I just wanted to say that I haven't had any issues. I actually like H&R Block. Thanks.
Farrah of St Louis MO (02/08/08)
I went to HR Block to apply for the Money Now loan that they now place on debit cards and did qualify; however, the rep who prepared the loan told me there was a $30.00 fee that would come off the top of the loan. But at the end of the preparation she told me that I would only get $440.00. So I asked why not $470.00 if HR Block fee is $30.00? She then told me that I would be able to get the additional $30.00 two days later, so I left the office to go and pay some bills only to find out the money was not on the card. I called the HR Block office, and they told me they were having some problem for the past few days with uploading the money on the cards, and eventually got the money two days later. The tax preparer nor anyone in the office had let me or any other consumers know of this problem. I feel as though I was misled in getting the loan because funds were not available when they should have been, and I would have chosen not to proceed with the loan. I also found out that the additional $30.00 was for a payment that should have been made on Jan. 15, 2008; but the loan was not due to be paid back until Feb. 15, 2008. The rep did not let me know of this.
I was in the understanding that HR loaned me the money, took their fee, and I needed to pay back the $470.00 by Feb. 15, 2008. They had already taken their fee. I received a statement in the mail regarding the loan, but the amount due was higher than the amount I borrowed with additional interest totaling $519.00! How is this possible? These loans are misrepresented and are not explained to the consumer as they should be. I called and spoke to a rep about the additional charges, and he was very nice and told me that he would open a claim and send it to a different department for review. It is now Feb. 8, and I have not heard one single word from them.
Michelle of New Smyrna Beach FL (02/07/08)
I am having a problem with the amount I was charged for my preparation, especially as a return customer and a person who could have easily done it myself. (I actually did and then took it there for the sheer fact we got the Emerald Advance, and I thought we had no choice, which turned out to be a false assumption on my part.) I would have felt it fair to be charged $300 to $450 (sort of), but I was charged $737 and that was AFTER my $20 dollar. I believe that their fee scale is unethical and overpriced, as well as unfair to the consumer, especially consumers whose information is the same as it was in prior years and no data entry except maybe a few number changes are made by the tax preparer. All they do is import it into the new year from the old year and verify it. How much work is that really? Minimal.
I would like for all of you out there who have had a problem to know the number for client relations, who may be able to help you. DO NOT call the 1800HRBLOCK number because that is just card services. Call 816-753-6900 and press 1 for client relations. I am still waiting on my call from the district manager, but I do have a feeling nothing will be done, because we did accept the fees. My point is that we sat there for 20-30 minutes before being helped, and then it took 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the lady to enter it all. You guys have no idea how inexperienced these people really are. They take the tax course, and that's it. I have an AS in Accounting, and I only utilize their services for the faster refund. Rest assured that in the future, I will be electronically filing on my own and having all of my money direct deposited into my bank account. Many years I have done the taxes ahead of time, and the people just have to enter it and it takes them forever; and then when there is a system glitch, they don't know what to do. They have asked several times why I don't take the class and work there myself. After seeing this site and my own experiences, I will NEVER work for them. I don't want my name associated with theirs in any way. It's a shame that a once reputable company established by honest men, has become entangled in our corporate greed and non-customer oriented society. I may actually file a complaint with the SEC or FTC about the fees that they charge. There should be a separate fee scale for new customers and returning customers, as well. No wonder they are one of the wealthiest corporations in the world.
Out of an approximate $4000-$4500 refund, which was being counted on for a new place to live, we were charged 16 - 18% of our refund for very little work on H&R Block's part. For those of you who had a problem with the RAL fees, you should be able to get a portion of those refunded since the RAL didn't go through as expected. I don't believe it is a processing fee, I believe you are only supposed to be charged the entire amount if the RAL goes through.
Casey of Kokomo IN (02/06/08)
I am unemployed right now, and didn't work a whole lot in 2007 because I was a full time student. My return was to be $308. They wanted to charge me $96 + $29.99 fee for not having cash on hand. I haggled the lady until she dropped it down to $49.50, but I still had the $29.99 fee to pay. That is 1/3 of my refund!
I don't have the gas money to look for a job in the places I would like and need that money. I chose not to pay it, I'll learn to do it myself from now on. Remember you can talk them down if you haggle them. I got them down to $30 last year. No real damage, just frustrating!
Cecille of Eloy AZ (02/04/08)
My husband and I went there to file our tax return, and we thought that everything will be just fine; we need the money as soon as possible. But NO, it came out so bad! When the lady was doing our taxes, she showed us on the computer that they will charge us $137 for 1-2 days, and we agreed because we really need the money--that's why we went there in the first place. We get to our apartment and saw they charged us $322! We just realized it was too late to go back there and complain or cancel it; we already signed! It says on the paper $215 for H&R BLOCK fee, and the $107 is for the bank fee. It also says that the estimated amount will be available in 1-2 days.
The next we gave them a call and asked if our check is already there; they said not yet. So we called the next day again and got the same answer. It's over 48 hours; they never call us and let us know what's going on. So we decided to call again, and their answer was its gonna be 8-15 days. Their reason was because the bank denied it. We told them they should let us know that there's gonna be a possibility that the bank will deny it. Now we're cheated! We didn't have our money to pay the apartment and the bills.
James of Eloy AZ (02/01/08)
My wife and I went to the H&R Block because H&R Block told us they can get us the money faster with additional fees. We chose 1-2 days. Once we did our taxes, we saw a charge of $147; when we got home we looked at our paperwork and saw that there were bank fees for the fast loan. Fine, we got ripped off. When the 1st day came up, they did not have our check that we paid for. Next day we called no check. Finally we called them again letting them know the 2 days is up. When we called they now told us that the loan has been denied, and we have to wait for 8-15 days for it. H&R Block now tells us that the bank we paid for can deny the loan. Now their excuse is it is the bank's fault, not ours. I kept telling them knowing that it can be possibly denied you should have told us at the beginning. And again the manager states the bank has to inform you.
When asking the manager when were you going to call us, he says only if we got the check for you. That's like saying they knew there was going to be no money, and they were going to have no intention of telling us that.
We had to buy some groceries for the kids; all we came down to is the rent money for our apartment. Thinking that we would have the money in 1-2 days we went and bought some food, which bit into our rent money. Not a problem, we thought at the time until now. Now we don't have the rent money and have to pay more money for the late fees. Also we were going to pay the debtors on next week to avoid bankruptcy now that all the creditors are working with us. Now how is someone to believe my promise when I broke my promise, because I was misled?
Lore of Henderson TN (01/29/08)
I filed MY taxes there; they put my husband as the taxpayer, and he isn't. He didn't have any income in 2007 or 2006. I told them that I was the taxpayer, and they said his name had to be first. Now they're holding my money because he owed child support for a 22-year-old. They never told us to fill out an injured spouse form; they said they would do it after the fact ,and now they don't return our calls. I can't get my money. They need to return calls!
I can't buy my husband's meds he needs, my rent is due, the electric will be shut off, and my husband uses oxygen. I can't get my child to school with no gas. This is very disheartening. We need that money and fast.
Travis of Rochester IL (01/20/08)
My family went to H&R block on 01/16/08 to file our income tax return. We have used their service in the past and have received their RAL. We were denied the instant loan which the tax advisor said was common as we are self employed and do not receive a W2. She assured us that we would have it in 1-2 days as printed in our paperwork. We received a H&R Block master card and when we called to verify our refund, we were informed that our loan was declined and we would receive our refund in 8-15 days. It seems unfair as our return is so simple to complete. It was done within 30 minutes and they charged us $247.00 for tax preparation. They use their loans to entice low income families in need of their refunds to use their service and charge outrageous fees. We could have used any local CPA or computer software for way less. I believe we even qualified for free tax preparation as our income qualifies us. I feel it is a scam and the tax advisor rushed us out, and misinformed us.
Cheryl of Whitehall MI (12/16/07)
I went to the Walmart store tax H&R Block and without my knowing, the lady slipped in a $500.00 dollar IRA and I know nothing about those things. After I had figured out what they did, I called and tried to talk to a number of people at Walmart and they said you signed and agreed to it, so there's nothing you can do. But she did it so sneaky, I didn't know what I was signing. So now I have this money in some IRA account and know nothing about it. I have no address to check it and don't know how to check it. I feel lost about it. I just felt sick about it. I will never go back to H&R Block ever again. Now I feel that I was cheated out of my money and yes, they said if I take it out, I will lose most of it in fee's. Please help.
I am a single mom with 3 children and I really needed my money. I tried to get it back but couldn't.
Manish of Cedar Park TX (03/26/07)
Hi, My wife and I visited the H&R Block office yesterday to get our taxes done. After being ignored for 45 minutes, we came home and made an appointment for 7:15 PM on the next day(3-26-07). We also called at 7 PM to confirm our appointment and we were told to come in. After 45 minutes of being ignored again, we walked out at 8 PM(office closing time). Do they have a policy of ignoring certain people or is this only a branch policy? There were 3 agents and only 2 customers and the third was shuttling between the 2 desks.
Shari of Woodlake, CA (01/31/07)
I have filed my taxes for 4 years using the online HR Block software. This year, I decided to upgrade during the filing process to their Signature product to have access to an online tax representative with a couple questions I had. This proved to be the worst decision of my tax filing career.
I thought this was increasing my filing price from $39.95 to $79.95 for both federal and state, which by the way the $39.95 is already a double increase over the past 3 years. In the end, it has cost me $139.95 as their fees are not clearly stated nor did I agree to something that is a bank charge of $29.95 which I presume is for the direct deposit. There was also $29.95 additional for the state return which I swear told me that 1 state return was included in the initial $79.95.
Then the on-line tax consultant basically pushed me off stating she was the only one in the office when I called to get further clarification. There is no way they took any time at all to review my return so this service is a complete fraud in my mind.
My boyfriend received the same software for $29.95 that I used for $39.95. I guess once they think you're a loyal customer, they just think they can charge whatever.
Katiuscia of Pembroke Pines FL (01/31/07)
I have been filing my income tax with HR black for the past 10 years i have been charged so much for fees. I also have tooken out the insurance and the women explained to me that if anything happens with your refund we can get you a lawyer , well somthing happened and when the time came down no lawyer was provided. the women sold me the insurance for NO REASON. she was not able to assist me with my problem as promissed by HR block.
I bills were not paid on time and my refund was delayed. no lawyer was provided. I have been filing my taxes for 10 years with this company.
Donald of New Auburn, WI (01/21/07)
On Jan. 5th my wife, with a power of attorney in hand, went into the H&R Block office. She was told that the IRS was not accepting returns until the 12th but she could have our "Refund Anticipation Loan" no later than 1-2 days after. She was approved for a "Money Now Loan" for $1700 of which she received a check for $1366.87. They deducted their $333.13 fees immediately.
The day that our loan check should have arrived I called the Block office, was informed that we were denied the R.A.L. and that we would receive our funds when the IRS released them - usually 8-14 days.
So not only do we not have our money in a Rapid fashion, we are also out a whole lot of it!
Marylynn of Frankfort, IN (04/27/06)
My husband and I had our taxes done for the first time by H & R Block. While our previous accountant charged $125 for filing all of our forms (my husband is self-employed), H & R Block charged us $436! Their reason is that each form has a fee. One form cost $53 to fill out!! How can that be when it is all on computer and the computer does the work for them?
They use the same forms as accountants do, but charge outrageous fees.
Elaine of Washington DC (04/15/06)
Yes, had I known there were all these hidden fees for filling out a costly form, I would opt to take their course instead and do my own taxes. Or better still, to do the easiest procedure on-line and lest costly, about $20.00 and pray I don't get audited. I'm finding out as well that H & R Block is a real rip off and the only people getting paid out of this procedure are the tax preparers who join forces with the IRS, who seem to want every penny you put into your pocket.
I was told by my tax preparer that the cost would be around $300. Then she called me back an hour later, and said she made a mistake, misread the computer, and the cost whould be $500, but she would take off $79 which would bring it to $429. My total cost of filing out forms and the form was $439.75. Reason for the fee, "your taxes are more complicated". Whatever that means, so is it for others who have no knowledge about preparing taxes.Yet nothing has changed in the past three years, except the price of letting someone else "rip you off".
Allison of Espanola, NM (04/11/06)
I feel as though I was totally overcharged for services rendered with my tax preparation!
Damages suffered were to my pocketbook and my faith/trust in H&R Block! Corporate America strikes once more!
Oneida of Fitchburg MA (03/25/06)
I've been going to H & R Block for the past few years. You get your money the next day and I've notice there are charges in there that I feel are unfair. I had to pay close to $400 in fees to have my taxes done. I think that is insane when I can use turbotax and get my taxes in a week for just $40. I think H & R Block deserves to be investigated because they're ripping off the poor people who work really hard for their money and have to pay ridiculous amounts for their money they worked for. So for whoever reads this Turbotax.com is the way to go from $10 - $75 you can do your own taxes and have them within a week.
Veroncia of Buda TX (03/06/06)
I went in to file taxes with the expectation of being able to recieve my income tax return quicker. I agreed to the 8-15 day return with a $320.00 fee and was given a pin to check the staus online. The pin was incorrect and when I went to the IRS website to see where my refund was, I was to expect it 21 days after I filed. I had already promised crediters and debiters that I would be able to pay them on the last day that was promised which would have been the 15th day.
Brooke of Port Hueneme CA (02/19/06)
I went to H&R Block to have my taxes prepared for the first time this year 2005. I usually do them myself, but this years were a bit more complicated, due to getting married and my husband joining the Military. I called the local H&R Block office and set an appointment. On the day of the appointment I arrived a few minutes early and was serviced quickly. I gave the "Tax Specialist" all of the W-2's, and his response was "Wow, you worked in a lot of states this is going to be expensive" (that was not reasuring to hear).
I asked "How expensive?" and he replied "About $100.00", that didn't seem to bad to me, I had worked for the same company in MO, IL & now CA. My husband worked in MO and now for the military. As we sifted through the W-2's and got figures on what my refunds would be and what I would owe if anything, I asked "Can I deduct my personal property tax from the MO state taxes?" he replied "I'm not sure but I doubt it".
As we started to finish he stated, "You will be getting a refund of X amount from Federal, X amount from IL, X amount from CA, You owe MO $1,100.00", I couldn't believe it, I have never owed state taxes before. But I trusted him, (they are tax professionals, right?) and asked if he would check into the MO state taxes further, he agreed and we set an appoinment for the following Tuesday.
I returned to the H&R Block office, to find out that my "tax specialist" was not in that day, but that someone else would assist me. As I waited I wondered if I had made the right decision, by using this company. After talking to another "tax specialist" she showed me why I owed MO state taxes, I agreed and she gave me the balance I owed for H&R Blocks services -- $237.00!! I asked why the cost was so high, and she replied because you had out of state taxes. Well yes I did, and the original amount qouted to me was "around $100.00" so why so much more?
With no other choice to my knowledge but to pay, I did. I thought I had to, because they had E-filed some of the taxes.
Beth of Cold Spring KY (02/17/06)
Because I had recently gotten married, and had to file tax forms in both Ohio and Kentucky, I went to H&R Block thinking that they would be able to straighten everything out. The associate who was assigned to me was obviously very new to the United States, but I tried not to be biased. However after I explain my situation to him, it was obvious that I knew more about taxes than he did.
He was simply a data entry person who took my forms and entered them into the computer. I was capable of doing that!
While he was entering the data I asked him how much they are going to charge us, because it seemed like we could do a better job, and was told $144 - JUST for my husband's taxes, and not mine!
I've used accountants in the past and never spent more than $50. Spending $144 is absolutely ridiculous, considering there was nothing complicated about my husband's forms.
I took my forms, walked out and went straight to Walmart where I bought TurboTax.
E of Woodruff UT (02/09/06)
I called H&R Block to see if they did Utah taxes. They said yes they do taxes from all states. I told them my taxes were simple and that I could do them myself but needed them e-filed. I asked the price and they said $49.95.
After they prepared my taxes they gave me a bill for $180.25. They said the reason it was so much is because I have a dependent.
The next day I called to talk to a manager because it just didn't seem right. She informed me that Utah taxes are an extra $60 and that I must not have given them the right information. She said she had IMPORTANT clients to talk to and hung up the phone!
I feel that I was completely mislead on the price and treated very unprofessionally.
David of Akron OH (01/21/06)
I filed my taxes on 01/19/2006.My return was to be $2721.00. I have filed for nearly 10 yrs. having a 1099misc. every year it cost $142.00 for preperation fees. This year they tell me it cost $208.00 (they tell me they're not sure why , must be the forms, note: I use the same forms every year. I filed the same as every year for the RAL to receive it back in 1 to 2 days. This year they tell me I was declined because I owed the bank (HSBC) $142.00 from last year.
Last year the $142.00 was taken out of my return along with the $99.95 charge for HSBC bank fees.I contacted the IRS about this matter and they disclosed to me that the entire check was directly deposited in HSBC's Bank in Buffallo N.Y. on Feb.18th. which means I did not receive my return this year in 1 to 2 days instead I have to wait untill the banks receive my check from the IRS and then they will loan me my money minus their fees.That will take about 3 weeks.
I just can't figure out why I would want to have my check sent to them first so that they can take fees to loan me my money.I have been reading up on all the H&R and HSBC scams. I only wish I would have investigated them first.I am a low income tax payer with EIC credit. All that H&R Block kept informing about was ther Peace Of Mind deal that would cost me $39.99 additional so that I could feel secure that they did their job right.
Natalie of Ephrata PA (3/6/05):
Recently my husband and I went to have our taxes filed at our local H&R Block office. My husband is currently self-employed as a sub-contractor. When I made the appointment I asked about the fees and was told by the receptionist/scheduler that the base started around $100 due to my husbands self-employment filing status. We produced all of our documents and the preparer e-filed the information for us in about 40 minutes. My taxes are very basic in that I had one full time job last year, and was a part-time student.
The original amount that we were quoted for our return was a little over $1,450.00, then when Ms. DeFrank tried to send the information over the system it kept rejecting it and was telling her that something was deducted incorrectly. After about 25 additional minutes and with the assistance of two co-workers, she said the problem had been fixed and then said that the total being charged by H&R Block for filing services was $307.00! Now, with the baby fussing and my husband ready to flip out, I asked her why the fee was so high and she said because my husband was self-employed. (Yet on his paperwork it is obvious that he was only sub-contracting for less than four months last year and also had pay stubs from a temp job that he had.) We then went to see the total of our refund and because of her original miscalculations, and we were now only getting back $745.00, and the H&R Block fee did not go down. Not to mention that somehow I owe the state of PA $127.00 on top of everything else.
Rose of Orefield PA (3/2/05):
I went to H&R Block on 2-25-2005 and had my Federal taxes figured only, and was charged $147.00, I paid with my credit card. On my way home I thought that amount seemed high, so I checked last year's return, that was $137.00 with them doing federal, state and local. I called them back within a half an hour of being there. This was around noon and now Mary said she would have to talk to Joan, because she is the owner and she's not there, and she would call me back.
Mary finally returned my call saying yes, they did overcharge me by $30.00, and they would give me a gift certificate for $30.00 for next year, I told her to credit my credit card or give me cash, she had to check with Joan, the answer was no, they can't credit my card or give me my money! It was to late, it was already processed. I told them I'm not coming back there next year, and she said well that's all they could do.
Bud of San Jose CA (3/10/04):
I just picked up my 2003 taxes. The cost was $396.25. This is the most we have ever paid for tax preperation services. Last year we paid $290.00 for both my daughters and my return. Our tax situation has not changed since last year. No additions, no changes that would generate additional forms. I asked our tax associate (Leroy) for an itimized list of the charges. Leroy allowed me view the charges on his computer screen, but said he could not print the list.
The office manager was summoned over. Hershall said he could print the list of our charges, but that the itemized list could not leave the office. This is appalling. We paid $396.25, and we cannot get an itemized list of what we were charged for. Hershall offered to give us a $25 gift certificate to go toward next years tax services at H&R. Since we will never use H&R again, the certificate would be worthless.
Anna of Anthem AZ (12/9/04):
I registered for Block's intro income tax couse for early September of this year. I cancelled the class the first day (9/13/04) because of personal reasons and requested refund for the tuition of $124 on that day. Four months later, I still have not received the refund. During the past 4 months, I have made several calls to get a status of the refund and am told that it takes 6-8 weeks to process the refund, it should be in the mail, it will be mailed out in the next two weeks. This is not acceptable.
I do not have the extra money for H&R Block to hold on to when the refund should have been processed right away. The refund process should not take 4 plus months.
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