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Katie of Kettering OH (06/27/08)
During my initial call will ATR, the representative was initially polite and seemingly helpful, however, he pushed for more and more personal information including name, address, Social Security Numbers, and then wanted 3900.00 upfront by check over the phone to take our case. I asked Shawn to let me read over the paperwork he was supposed to be faxing, research the company, and discuss the service with my husband and I would call him back. He became irate and insulting. I had to hang up on him. Apparently he knew my research would uncover numerous complaints regarding their rude, bullying tactics.
I am now establishing fraud alerts with the credit bureaus for our protection against ATR becasue I gave them our SSN
Larry of Bradenton, FL (06/06/08)
This is an addition to the report posted. Now, on June 6 I received a letter from my credit card company saying they were unable to process the credit. When I initially talked to American Tax, I provided my credit card over the phone. I was to sign and return documents that were faxed to me but I changed my mind, advised them by fax within a day and did not sign any documents. They did not provide any service to me as we terminated before we even started. Sounds to me like my credit card company and American Tax are in bed together.
I'm out $2450 at this point. This is after American Tax agreed to a refund over the phone with the credit card representative on a conferfence call.
Cindy of Wetumpka AL (06/05/08)
my husband contacted atr in april 2008 to help him straighten out a big delinquent tax problem and paid them 3,900.00. on april 17, 2008. on 6/4/2008 a chris hannah called and stated he had let an arbitary deadline go by and demaned another 3,100. they did absoloutely nothing but use strongarm and scare tactics. questioned our character and yelled. i am interested in any way shape or form to sue these people to recover the 3,900.00 and to shed light on this company!
i did not have the 3,900.00 to begin with. that put us in a financial bind and now their threats to sue us over the 3,100.00 as being a bad check has me constantly worried and feeling helpless that they just took the money and did not in any way offer us any form of service for this money. how can i recover this money?
Leonce of Newbedford, MA (05/31/08)
Watched one of their commercials and contacted them by phone. I was told that to handle my case I had to ok a money withdrawal from my checking account in the amount of $5500.00. After 30 days and no communication other than paperwork that was sent to me, I called and was told that 30 days had past and no response from me so I had to pay another $3900.00 to them to continue working on my case. At this pont I figured I had no choice and agreed.
Then nothing happened for a number of months until I call and was put in touch with another associate. So far all that has happened is I have to sign an agreement with the IRS stating that I will pay $533/month. I could of accomplished this by myself.
Bryan of Tuscola IL (04/15/08)
I called American Tax Relief when I found out that in spite of trying to pay our taxes properly, we still owed $11,000. All the guy on the phone cared about was How much can you send us today? He mentioned a figure which seemed a reasonable amount but alarm bells rang when I realized that all he had to go on was an amount due and no specifics on the situation. When I started to ask questions he swore at me and told me I guess you don't need help. and then sworw agin and hung up.
Larry of Bradenton FL (04/01/08)
I did a free consultation with American Tax Relief during which my credit card number was taken. I opted to not use their services and after calling them to inform them I did not want to proceed, I also sent them a fax terminating my case. Two days after the date of my fax my credit card was charged $2450. When I discovered the charge on my credit card I called them to remove it. They talked in circles about how I was not in their database so they had no record of the charge and couldn't issue a credit. Fortunately, my credit card company dispute manager got them on a conference call and they changed their tune and said they would issue a credit.
Art of Brockton MA (03/28/08)
Took $2750 for a fee. I said I could not afford $5,500 - he said that he'd 'work with me' about any further amount - came to find out they sent a bank draft to my bank account and without my knowledge or consent, withdrew the remaining $2750. Then I got a call from his supervisor that he needed another $3500 because the amount owed the IRS was $20,000 more than I told Campbell, which was NOT TRUE!
I defaulted on my alimony, mortgage and ALL bills due this month, there is just no money in the till now!
Michael of Bozeman, MT (03/26/08)
I paid American Tax Relief $10,000 in advance to settle a $122,000 payroll tax debt. ATR claimed that they could get the bill reduced by at least 60%. Once we paid we could not get a direct response or information from ATR on how our case was progressing.
They gave us inaccurate and misleading information or no information at all. We had to attend a meeting with our local IRS agent without legal representation even though their literature indicated we would no longer have to deal with IRS.
When we called to get answers the people at ATR hung up on us and would not return calls. We have since obtained other legal counsel to resolve our tax issue and they have indicated other numerous errors made by ATR.
Timothy of Chicago IL (03/06/08)
I am one the unfortunate victims of American Tax Relief (ATR). This company based in Hollywood and Los Angeles, California, advertises by way of radio and television that they can help individuals with issues with the IRS and can stop liens and negotiate IRS debt down to next to nothing. I enlisted their services with a deposit of $2750 to which they debited from my credit card on January 29, 2008. Robert Campbell (the representative from ATR) said that he would have the lien removed from my payroll check immediately. A month later nothing much was done. Unfortunately, after they received my deposit I found dozens of complaints about this company defrauding customers out of thousands of dollars and their being in worse shape than when they first contacted them. I faxed a letter to ATR on March 5th expressing my dissatisfaction with their service and my concerns about the many complaints I found, and requested a refund. Typical of the behavior other past customers experienced, Mr. Campbell left me a phone message around 8:15 a.m. on March 6, 2008, calling me a liar and said that they will pursue collection of the additional $2750 I supposedly owe their company.
I am sorry that I had anything to do with this company. Not only do I still have to clear up this IRS issue, I have incurred more debt by charging this $2750 on my credit card, and now my credit will probably be in jeopardy because they are coming after me for the balance. Someone needs to pursue putting this company out of business for good! How someone with such a horrible reputation and history of defrauding consumers can continue to do business is beyond me.
Tom of Oro Valley AZ (03/01/08)
I thought I was dealing with an honest company to assist me with a huge tax burden. I was so desperate for help that I completely lost all of my common sense...that is: If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. These people are so sick and deserve dire consequences. I had originally tried to deal with the IRS on my own but had little success. As my tax liability (with penalties and interest) grew, I was at a loss at what to do. I went to ATR for help after hearing their commercial on TV and radio. I should have known from the start that this was nothing but a scam. Unfortunately, I was so desperate. How I have come to regret that now! I paid ATR 2 separate payments of $3250 to help me settle a tax liability of $51,000 for less than $20,000. Wow, I thought, this is the way to go. I was so wrong. They make you fill out tons of paperwork to masquerade as actually working a case file.
Sadly, I came to find out yesterday that my entire bank accounts have been cleaned out by the IRS due to a levy! I am ruined financially, no thanks to American Tax Relief. These guys, especially Sean Madden, are evil.
I lost $6500 to American Tax Relief. I also had $9300 seized from my bank account to pay a portion of my outstanding balance. I was left with the impression that they were still going to work on my case. After reading all of these horror stories online, I am certain my options have totally run out.
Berto of South San Francisco CA (02/13/08)
I want all consumers to beware of this unethical company with their false claims of being able to settle your tax debts for pennies on the dollar. All they want is to collect your money before they ever understand your specific tax situation. The individuals that answer their phones are hard core sales people with no tax knowledge or expertise. They take advantage of individuals who truly need help on very serious tax situations and never intend to do anything about it, except to collect outrageous fees before they ever even examine your specific case. At the end of the conversation they ask you for your bank information and want you to immediately fax over documents to them that will allow them to take money right out of your bank account for their fees.
When my husband called them and asked them questions, they yelled at him and said 'when you get serious about your taxes, call us' and hung up on him. Out of curiosity and already disgusted, I called back and this same guy was making disgusting comments about women referring to them as 'chicks' and then proceeded to ask me to fax a power of attorney and my bank info. I was smart enough to know a scam when I see one, so I want to warn anyone else out there who is thinking of using them to BEWARE! I settled my own issues with the IRS directly. The IRS posts a warning on their website about agencies claiming to settle tax issues for pennies on the dollar. Before you ever give your money to a place like this, try to work directly with the IRS or call the tax advocacy. If that does not work, find a legitimate tax attorney!
I am lucky that I was smart enough NOT to consider dealing with this Boiler Room, so they did not get one, single penny from me. You can even call the tax advocacy and they will help you to resolve your issue. This is what I did. THANK GOD I did not buy into this horrendous scam.
Leslie of Walton NY (01/22/08)
I hired American Tax Relief about 8 months ago to help me resolve some tax issues. I paid them $4900 and was told that as soon as I signed over power of attorney to them, the tax dept could not legally take any of the aggressive actions they were threatening. Three days later the tax dept. did show up and took possession of my restaurant, changing the locks and threatening to start auctioning off the business contents in 12 days if I didn't come up with almost $9000. I borrowed the money, opened my business back up and continued dialog with the people at American Tax Relief. They assured me that what the tax dept. had done was illegal and that they could still help me resolve the tax problems. I returned all the questionnaires and all other requested statements, etc. For the last 8 months I was under the impression that this company was working for me.
I finally received a voicemail in November 2007 from Shawn Madden, from ATR, stating that he would really like to get moving on my case, and I needed to return his call. Upon calling Shawn Madden I learned that nothing had been done on my case. He claimed that he had never received a completed questionnaire and that I had terminated his company's POA with the tax dept. I sent him proof that the POA was still in effect but was told that I would still have to send him another $3500 to resume work on the account as he hadn't received the questionnaire. I told him that I desperately needed help as the tax dept. was once again threatening to seize my business, and that I didn't have any more money to give him. He told me to call him back when I came up with the money, until then there was nothing he could do for me.
I've had to close up my business. The tax dept gave me until 1-17-08 to come up with $26,000, or they were going to once again seize and auction off my business. I just didn't have the money, and I didn't have any choices. I'm out of business, unemployed, and so far in debt that it scares me to death. The people at ATR made me a lot of promises and assurances and did nothing at all to help. They took my money and ran. I was desperate for help. I guess that makes for the perfect victim.
Tina of Eden WI (01/17/08)
In 2003 I paid ATR $3500. in cash to settle my tax debt with the IRS. Every time I contacted them (they never called me), to inquire about progress they were making, they gave me an excuse as to why I could not speak with my attorney. My tax debt continued to increase and my wages were garnished. I still could not get an answer from ATR as to what was going on. I ended up calling the IRS myself and found out that no one from ATR had ever contacted them. In 2006, I wrote to the CA Attorney General, WI Dept. of Consumer Protection and I attempted to file a complaint in small claims court. Three times I paid the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. to serve the papers. They were never served on time. I contacted a local process server to serve papers and he claimed that ATR was out of business and nothing further could be done. Within the past three months I have heard their advertisment on the local radio station and they have the same address. Is there anything more that I can do to recover my $3500? I would use that money to pay the IRS. I still owe them well over $12,000.
My wages were garnished 25% of $9.00/hr. I was able to have that reduced to 15%. I now work part time and I am paying them $50.00 a month. I have suffered great embarrassment at my jobs as they knew how much I owed to the IRS. My credit is non-existent. I saved some money to make an Offer and Compromise. Money that I should be saving for retirement as I am 52 years old. This situation has also taken a toll on my mental health and I continue to take antidepressants to combat the resulting depression and anxiety.
Werner of Pikeville TN (12/30/07)
In April of 2006 I called ATR. I was connected to a James Flemming who immediately stated that in order to retain their services I needed to deposit the amount of $5,500.00. The money was transfered immediately by wire transer. I was able to speak to James on two seperate occasions and we sent all necessary paperwork that he requested. When I could not reach him again, I was then directed to a women that said James was first on leave and then she later stated that he had taken a leave of absence and that she was taking over his accounts. I sent all the paperwork again to her as she could not find the paperwork I had previous sent.
They were suppose to contact the IRS but also failed to do so. After not hearing from them when the IRS deadline was fast approaching I was told by ATR that there was nothing that they could do for me and could not help me further. The bottom line is that I paid them $5,500.00 and I did not receive any help from American Tax Relief. I then had to paid the IRS monies owed which amounted to a sum of over 40 thousand plus dollars.
Stacy of Hillsboro TN (12/11/07)
I saw a commercial for American Tax Relief. I thought, finally an answer to my tax problem. I had gone through a divorce during the previous tax year. I am the owner of a small preschool in Tennessee. I fought for my preschool during the divorce and luckily enough I was able to retain sole ownership. Although, during the process of the divorce I began paying myself a regular salary due to the fact that I was now a single mom. I began having to make the choice between feeding my kids and pay my bills or pay the tax. I thought I could catch up on my taxes, but little did I know how quickly and enormously the penalties and interest would grow.
I called the 800 number hoping to work with someone knowledgeable about taxes. I really wanted to make a repayment plan. I was told by one of the Hannahs at ATR that I qualified for the penalty abatement program. I was under the impression once I sent in all of my paperwork they would begin to represent my company and resolve my tax issues. I was sent an enormous amount of paperwork to fill out and a huge amount of copies to send to the company. I would call the company to ask questions, be put on hold, told someone would return my call shortly and never would. The paperwork was so detailed that an average person could not understand what to send back to them. I spoke with someone who told me to just send it back incomplete! Yet, on the paperwork it clearly states not to send imcomplete paperwork.
After, some time had passed I spoke with Chris Hannah who proceded to talk to me like I was uneducated and told me that I had passed the time limit. I told him I had every piece of correspondence from the company and no where on the paperwork did it explain that there was any time line after only speaking to someone that I had to have the paperwork back. I understood that once they had all of my information they would move forward in representing me to the IRS. I was treated very poorly and the company attitude was not professional. They also tried to get me to pay an additional $4,000! I had to take out a loan for the first $4,000. I have no where elso to turn and now I am too afraid to hire another firm.
I am further indebted to the IRS due to the amount of time that has passed. I have not seen any action on behalf of the American Tax Relief. They took my $4,000.00 and did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for my company.
Richard of Batavia, OH (10/31/07)
Well my story is the same as all the rest, I was taken by ATR. They promised they would take care of my tax problem. I got nothing.
Tonight I got a phone call telling me the IRS was now saying I owed more money then they first reported. And now I need to pay ATR more money because there is more work to do.
I already paid them $4000 and now ATR needs $4600 to settle my trouble with the IRS. Im out the $4000,and I'm still in trouble with the IRS!
Edward of Ashaland OR (10/19/07)
I called and asked for a receipt from American Tax Relief for the 11 thousand dollars I paid them to do tax work in 2006. Frist of all they never did the work !!! and then when I asked for a receipt they said I should have kept better records and paid the IRS. He Rick George ( if that's his name ) said he would not send the receipt from my payment because he saw that I complained about him. These people should be out of business. Why does the IRS let them continue ?
Don of Salt Lake City UT (10/03/07)
I was laid off after 25 years with the same company, shortly there after I developed severe RA, I could not walk or use my hands, was on many perscription drugs. I withdrew some of my 401K but at end of year but forgot to include in my tax filing. Got a big bill from the IRS. Called ATR to get some help. They charged me $5,500 and promised that they would reduce the amount owed and get me on a payment plan. During that time my wife developed cancer, need less to say we really needed their help, we got nothing for our $5,500.00. With all the medical bills we had to sell our home and now a year later I'm working with the IRS to avoid a lien......
I'm working two jobs and my wife is working full time and we are facing liens and levies......
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 (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 (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 (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 (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.
Joleen of St Augustine FL (06/04/07)
I am a single mother that has got behind in taxes that I could not afford. I owed approx. $13,000. I contacted American Tax Releif and was told that they could lower the amout to approx. $4000. I payed them $3,900 in April 2006 to take care of this. It is now June 2007 and they did nothing. I am now out of the $3,900 and my taxes are up to almost $15,000 because of late fees and interest. I had to set up a payment plan myself and now there is a lien on my property.
This has been a huge strain on me and my children. $that $3,900 could have went a long way in feeding and clothing my girls, but instead a company that I thought I could trust took it from us. Now my tax debt is worst than it was a year ago. I wanted to contact the IRS last year but was told by ATR not to do so.
Daniel of Atlanta GA (05/15/07)
I paid American Tax Relief $4000.00 in March of 2005, I was asked to pay the money within minutes of asking what they could do for me. The company did nothing and the IRS continues to hound me.
I contacted ATR on 5/7/07 and was told by them that I would need to pay another $5000.00 for another POA and that they would not repay my money. I would like to speak with anyone who would be willing to pursue a class action suit against this company of thieves.
I have chronic kidney disease and American Tax Credit took my money when I was going through Kidney Cancer, I was so ill and thought that they would help.
David of Magee MS (08/02/06)
I had some IRS problems some of my 941 had not been paid. It was an honest mistake that my bookkeeper over looked. I called American tax relief to get help the guy I talked to said I can gurantee you, I will get you out of pentatils & intrest so I paid his company $5,500.00 to help me. And guess What? They didn't do anything. As the dead line for payment got closer My Wife took it upon herself to contact the IRS and get to the bottom of what we could do. So american tax relief did nothing. I call and spoke to george At ATR he told me he was going to keep my money. He actully told me I'm keep your money every cent of it, and I defy you to get it back. I don't know what else to do.
As if it were not bad enough oweing the IRS some undetermined amount of nothing less than $8,000.00. Then American tax relief cliped me for $5,500.00. I would say i have been damaged very much. I own a very small business, I have maxed out my line of credit, to make ends meet and looking for answers.
Mfk of Christiana DE (07/19/06)
I called American Tax Relief (ATR) for help with the IRS and their aggressive collection manners. I briefly explained to Steve about my situation, without hesitation he said ATR could help. He just needed to ask me some questions. He asked, I responded. You initially feel a sense of relief knowing someone is going to help you with the biggest thorn in your side. After a couple of minutes of asking questions, he puts me on hold. I hold for about 3 minutes (thought we got disconnected). When he returned, he said that he called my bank and drafted my checking account. I was shocked! And what was worse, it was for $7,500.00.
The company states that I authorized it, that couldn't be right because I didn't have that kind of money in the account (bank statement verifies this). If he had told me what it was going to cost me for ATR to help me, I wouldn't have been able to do it. I scrambled to get the money in because Steve said ATR can help and it would be immediately after they receive their fee. I would never have to speak directly with IRS agents from that point on.
There was no consulting in any form in either of the 2 times we spoke (first call was when he drafted my account and the second call I said that the IRS was still calling me and he said don't worry about it, he'll call them). I NEVER spoke to any attorneys or enrolled agents listed on the POA. I cried for help when the IRS placed a federal lien against me - no response from ATR. I cried for help when the IRS levied my accounts receivables - no response from ATR. I cried for help when the IRS levied my bank accounts - no response from ATR. I cried for help again when another federal lien was filed against me - no response from ATR. When I called, I spoke to a receptionist or a sales person I could never get through to an attorney or enrolled agent. They always said, your enrolled agent will call you in the morning - I never got a call back, ever.
I purchased their services in February '06, it wasn't until sometime in April '06 it was realized that they didn't have correct POA papers. WHAT? I sent all my information in as requested, there was no follow up. I know they received it because I sent it confirm recipient's signature. The IRS agent assigned to my case never received the POA so she made several visits to my home, continued to call daily and all the while I kept saying that ATR was my POA and to contact them.
Since ATR never intercepted any of the IRS's actions, I had 3 federal liens filed against me, my checking accounts and accounts receivables were levied. By June '06, I said enough and requested a refund (6 times). When I got no response, phone call or mail, I sent my complaint into my State's Division of Consumer Protection/Fraud Department and California's Attorney General. ATR claims that I didn't cancel within the 5 day cancel period -and only get half your payment. ATR stated that working with the IRS is a step-by-step process. If that is the case, how can they say that a customer only has 5 days to decide to continue business with ATR when in 5 days that is absolutely impossible to determine.
I am pursuing my complaint with my State's Department of Justice as well as the State of California's Attorney General. I am also obtaining a private attorney for guidance. This company should not be able to continue business in this manner. We, the consumer, must take some kind of action. Yes, we messed up with the IRS, but it doesn't give American Tax Relief the right to take advantage of that - they advertise that they can help settle with the IRS for past due taxes, they advertise that we would never have to communicate directly with the IRS that they will speak on your behalf, they say that you may pay much less than what is owed but you end up paying more. A lot more.
Harvey of Tucson, AZ (06/14/06)
American Tax Relief told us it would cost $3,250 to do an offer in compromise. We signed their authorization form which states that $3,250 would be charged on our credit card. We wound up paying them $6,500 because they ran it through twice. The credit card company is ging to file a fraud complaint against them.
"Eli" told me that the IRS debt could be settled for $10,000, but the completed offer that ATR sent me showed that I have to pay the IRS over $40,000, even though I owe them $65,000.
Robert of Reno NV (05/26/06)
i paid ATR $3200 after a free consultation in which they promised me that they could help me with my case. I explained my entire financial situation to them and they said they would file an offer in comprimise and get my tax problems solved. 14 months later, after i did 98% of the work, the irs says they will not accept any offer, i am to pay up in full. Now ATR says too bad, so sorry. I divulged complete & accurate info to ATR before i ever paid them. They completely lied to me, accepted money under false pretenses. Now i'm in worse shape than before & have been financially & mentally damaged!
Donna of Belmont CA (05/03/06)
My husband and I hired American Tax Relief to represent us in arranging payment plans for our 2002 Federal and State Income tax reports. Our contact is Jim Fleming. Unfortunately, after paying their service fee which is a total of $6,000 plus fees, we were unable to begin the payment plan because my husband was still unemployed (since Sept. 11th of 2001). My husband just got a job and started working in March of this year 2006. Two weeks ago, my employer received a notice from the Franchise Tax Board to commence deductions from my payroll effective 5/12/06.
I faxed a copy of this FTB notice to Jim Fleming at American Tax Relief requesting they resume their services to represent us on this matter so we can now begin to make payments. Mr. Fleming contacted my husband and noted their service contract with us expired and that we needed to pay them a new fee of $3,000.00 to get re-started services. Of course, we were not going to pay them again. Well, on April 28th, they must of had a record of our checking account number and was able to debit our account for an intial fee of $1,550.00.
Carrie of Antioch CA (04/06/06)
I was bilked out of almost $12,000 by American Tax Relief and was lied to right down the line. I never spoke with an attorney even though I was told a firm of tax attorneys would be handling my case. They told me that they could cut my debt in half or at least by twice whatever I paid them. They asked for additional monies three times using various excuses while I waited for resolution. I checked these excuses out with the IRS and California State Franchise Tax Board and was told that they had "misinfomed" me and that they had only contacted each agency once in the entire 7 months that I've been waiting to have my tax situation resolved.
Now, I've just been informed that the State has put a lien on my properties and the IRS has given me another 4 weeks to settle with them. Both of them told me that I cannot qualify for an "Offer in Compromise" as I was told by American Tax and that my only hope is to set up a payment plan (which, of course, I can't afford). Now I owe additional monies in fines, interest and am out the $12,000 I paid American Tax.
Troy of Thousand Oaks CA (03/06/06)
I paid American Tax Relief $3,900 to assist me in resolving a tax problem I had and still currently is having with the IRS. The IRS notified me of there intent to place a levy on my bank account months after I had contact Mr. B. H, for his company's assistance. However, just as the other individual complained about never receiving call backs, I was hung up on, I would call everyday to see what was going on with my account, and all I was told was my case was transferred to a different department. Interestingly enough, I continued to contact Mr. B and everytime it seem as though the phone rep would get angry and tell me that Mr. B was not availble and he would give him my message and ask to wait for his call back.
Mr B. would never call. Once Mr. B called back after I had to tell him that I would go to the media if he refused to return my call within 48hrs. He called back to tell me that his other rep was working on my case. They caused me to loose 10k from my checking account.
Kathleen of Erie PA (01/20/06)
I paid American Tax Relief $3,600 to assist me in resolving a tax problem I had becausse the IRS had notified me of there intent to place a levy. Come to find out two years later they did not ever take care of the issue. Now the IRS has removed every dollar I had in the bank including my checking account which I ended up writing bad checks on because I was unaware it was going to happen and put a levy on most of my salary, leaving me with approximately $160 per week to live on.
Interestingly enough, when I try to contact American Tax Relief, the phone reps become excited, start yelling to co-workers, put me on hold, then come back to tell me a supervisor will have to speak to me and then HANG UP. During one phone call though, they told me if I now pay them $3,800 they could take care of this for me. If all of this is not enough, I called the IRS myself and am taking care of having everything resolved. Come to find out they are very helpful and everything that American Tax Relief promised to do for me, I can take care of myself.
I hope someone else reads this and isn't too nervous to contact the IRS directly!!! Now if I can figure out a way to get my money back from American Tax Relief I'll be brand new. Doubt that will happen though, considering I have yet to receive a phone call back from one of those managers I need to speak to and I have given them 3 different contact numbers.
Reno of Tampa FL (12/12/05)
Oh my God! I guess I’m not alone. I paid $3400 to them and they got nothing done for me. I was told that I didn’t have to talk to the IRS and they would handle everything for me. Well, that didn’t happen. The IRS has me in knots. I’ve called so many times and no return calls from them. Some guy name Steve is the last one I got a hold of. He said someone name Lucy would call me back. It’s been a month now.
I first contacted them in 2003. I spoke to Joe. He sold me . Boy, He’s good. He made claims and guarantees that never happened. I consider myself to be pretty sharp and can see through the Bull^%#. I guess I was way off on this one. I’m planning to try to contact all folks who were ripped off and get a class action suit going against these guy’s/ The one thing I have on my side is. media contacts and I plane to use my resources.
Sheila of Orinda CA (11/03/05)
After reading numerous complaints concerning American Tax Relief, I know I am not alone! My husband and I have been victomized by this company as well. After reading complaints, we too report the same treatment. We have all been victomized by this company and their contracters. I myself wrote to the State Attorney General of Calif. If enough complaints are received, I believe the the State will look into their business practices. We too were told that no refund was due because of contract agreement. I believe a contract involves both parties and American Tax Relief did not perform under their own contract agreement.
Garrett of Eureka CA (09/27/05)
I paid their fee and have not had any return phone calls or any sort of resolution to my tax debt. They have hung up on my repeatedly and nothing has happened.
Theresa of Smryna GA (08/09/05)
I had been trying to negotiate with the Georgia Revenue Department to pay back owed taxes. I was having no success as a lay person dealing with a tax department. Like a fool,I contacted American Tax Relief on 9/15/2004 I spoke with Joe B and explained my situation and felt I needed assistance with completing an arrangement for payment. It is now 8/7/2005. I have spent countless hours trying to get them to even answer a phone call. To date they have never called,written or taken any initiative to treat me as a client.
Finally in Feb. 2005 they sent me a financial form to send to the Georgia Tax Department for an Offer and Compromise there was so many typing errors I had to return it to them. They took $5000 from me and now tell me they just found out that Georgia made a new rule that an Offer and Compromise can only be submitted every 10 years and my contact and converations with Georgia Revenue Department constitutes an Offer. I reminded them that I had told ATR I had made an Offer to Georgia in my initial conversation with Mr. B and that I had sent them all my records of negotation with Ga. Actually it was a question I answered on a financial form they sent me.
So the fact is they knew and saw an open door to get my money and/or negligently by accepting a case saying they were experts in tax resolution and don't know what they are doing and took my money.
Lori of Garland TX (07/15/05)
On or about April 15th 2005 we entered into an agreement with American Tax Relief to assist us with reduction of our tax bill. Their representative, Ted G, told us their services included reviewing and submitting our 2004 tax return and negotiating with the IRS for a reduced settlement of tax liability. Based upon Mr. G’s assurances we signed with ATR and paid a fee of $3900.00. Since that time we have sought progress reports without success. Of late, they have even refuted claims made by Mr. G who is no longer employed with that company. We have expressed our deep dissatisfaction with the company through our current contact Norma. She advised us to call their 1800 number and arrange to close the file and apply for a refund. The contact on said number was very rude when we requested a refund, refusing such and hung up on us.
Kelly of Lebanon TN (05/05/05)
In September 2003 my husband contacted American Tax Relief for help with tax debt from a defunct business. They took $1600.00 from his account and $1600.00 from my account and sent us a questionnaire. As I am putting this years tax stuff away I asked my husband how our tax issue was being handled. He didn't know, as they never contacted him. I called (800)252-9528 and asked for a refund since I feel they basically took our money and then forgot us. I spoke with a man who said his name was Bob. I explained what had happened and he told me that they never received our paperwork and they did make one follow-up call.
I asked for a refund since they had not done anything for us and he explained that the case is too old, the money was for legal representation and there will be no refund. I asked how they could have provided legal representation when they didn't receive our paperwork. He said that they had been in touch with the IRS on our behalf. I then asked for proof and he said no that it was private information.
Walter of Stevensville MD (04/29/05)
Paid $3,600.00 to handle case of past due IRS Federal Taxes. Started case lat August 2004 and April 2005 still nothing. Not even garnishments stopped. Cannot get anyone to respond at company .
Nancy of Virginia Beach VA (2/15/05):
We paid this company $3200.00 to settle our back tax problems with IRS. We had tried to do it ouself and had no luck so thought this was the right direction. We did not have a problem with paying the IRS - we just needed it to be in installments that we could afford and pay estimated taxes at the same time. Seems they have done nothing. IRS froze all our bank accounts and removed all of our money. I called IRS aand found out that nothing had been done by the American Tax Releif group. I have paid for service I did not get.
Amy of Canoga Park CA (1/15/04):
I relied on a sponsorship and endorsement by CNN and MSNBC to be a safe and smart one coming from two different networks of that magnitude. My mistake, not only have they (ATR) charged my account beyond the original agreed amount, but took more money out of my checking account then they were verbally authorized to.
Frank the tax counselor who signed me up when I called their 800 number to initate services, seemed genuinely concerned to help me and my issues and raved of his company's services and ability to deliver. I was quite confident when I hung up, this was the beginning to the end of my tax issues.
It was ALL Down hill from there... I continued to receive wage orders to withhold my earnings with my employer b/c American Tax Relief had not provided the necessary documents to the appropriate people to put and keep my account in a non collectable status. When I would call on this, my tax resolution specialist, Vijay, barely spoke English and many times would tell me different excuses for the same thing as to why nothing was done.
Frank had my acct. redirected to another rep who could more clearly communicate with me the status of my case, etc. Mr. Chana, (I have no idea if that is his first name of his last name). Qwen (don't know her last name) is handling my Federal case, and Chana my state case. Since I hired ATR, I have had to call the IRS and the FTB myself to resolve wage orders, payment options, holds on my accounts, release financial information over SIX times in less than 6 months. All because ATR doesn't provide the service you pay them for.
Frank told me my account is in 'uncollectable status' and the VERY next week, my employer send me the wage withhold order from both IRS and FTB." He finally got sick of me calling and literally crying to him, so he no longer accepts my calls. Since talking to Chana in Aug 2003, there was yet another wage order from FTB. I called the state had it lifted and agreed to pay $232.00 per month until they could review my offer in compromise that ATR should have been preparing. When I spoke to Chana he negotiated the $232.00 down to $50 per month later, and told me to send him the paperwork when I received it from the state. When I received the financial statements from the state and completed them, I returned them to Chana on 08/16/03 with no response, I sent them again 9/29/03, still no response, I sent them to Frank on 10/13/03 and to Chana and Frank on 10/21/03, Still NOTHING from ATR to confirm receipt or advise me what to do next.
I could go on and on and I have endless pieces of documentation supporting my accusations, copies of fax confirmations, cell phone bills showing my outgoing calls and copies of their useless contracts showing me what a wonderful service they will be providing me.
The better business bureau in California rates them as 'unsatisfactory' as it seems I am not the only consumer experiencing these same exact issues. I recently filed a complaint with the BBB and thier response didn't even address my concerns. When I called ATR on 1/13/2004 to find out a current status since there has been nothing as usual sent to me regarding status of either case and I never received the copies of either case file that I requested on 11/15/2003 from Chana who said it would take him 20 days or so before "he would get to it", they told me then that my cases both state and federal have been suspended and NO ONE is working on either b/c I filed the complaint with BBB.
They have $3600.00 of mine and I have ZERO from them.
Marguerite of Sunset Beach NC (12/30/03):
In Aug. 2003 I was contacted by the above concerning federal taxes I owed for 1995, 1996 and 1997 amounting to $37,000. I have paid about $23,000 so far and now owe $15,000 for interest and penalties. I agreed to have ATR file an abatement request for me on the basis of hardship since my husband is 72 and I have been didabled for the last 7 years and we both have health problems.
I paid them $1,175. of their $1,500 fee. I supplied them with all the requested documents. Since then my attempts to find out what they are doing about this has resulted in lame excuses as to why it has not been filed such as: I have to make sure I do it right (per Lynn) or you have to show good faith with IRS by making time payments (also per Lynn). I have been making payments of $350 per month on the interest and penalties but it is very difficult due to declining health requiring more medicicine and fixed income.
They preyed on us due to our desperate circumstances and promised to do something they apparently had no intention of doing.
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