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American Tax Relief

4801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles

Brenda of Bakersfield, CA October 27, 2008

Brenda of Bakersfield CA (10/27/08)
I owed 35K in back taxes. Chris from ATM sent papers only after securing 5500 from me. I have had nothing done, I had to fill out all the paperwork do the chasing around and then have received two threatening letters saying I should have sent this or that. Meanwhile I now have a deadline to get two turndowns from mortgage companies and pay my debt down to 25K

Meanwhile my tax bill is now 69K. I left 10 messages for Chris who didn't call back of course. When I finally reached him-he asked me for 3900 more. FOr what? I called the IRS and told them I was trying to get a mortage to pay them. Unfortunately I don't have a mortage so IRS would grab my home in a heart beat. I would love to get a refund but after reading your other complaints about this company I sure wish I had never called.

THe IRS is much nicer than American Tax Relief. I have been so stressed over this, The IRS is threatening to take my pension & SSDI and put a lien on my property. Yes they have put me through more stress than the IRS

Schene of Wood-Ridge, NJ October 27, 2008

Schene of Wood-Ridge NJ (10/27/08)
Spoke with Associated Tax, Was assigned to Harry. Was very infomative, helpful knowledgable. Once they received payment, they never performed any service. Now, unable to reach anyone on phone/via mail/anything. Bait and switch operation.

6000, No movement on IRS Issues and Interest Still running

Susan of Wilmington, IL October 8, 2008

Susan of Wilmington IL (10/08/08)
My husband and I hired American Tax Relief to settle our taxes owed to the IRS. They promised me the world. They said they knew what they were doing and there would be no problem in getting the IRS to accept 6000 (pennies on the dollar they advertise) With the penalties and interest, we owed 23000. I paid them and filled out all the forms and the IRS said no to the offer of compromise. American Tax Relief came up with the 6000 figure, not us. My husband gets paid hourly and he had two good years and American Tax Relief said the IRS would not consider a 40hr week - they will only look at the two year average. This was in 2004!!! Today I owe over 40,000. American Tax Relief has done nothing to help us. In fact, they have made it worse. I have requested my money back several times. They don't return phone calls, they might respond to you in writing if you are lucky.

I have gone to a local attorney and am finally getting the help we need. The local attorney didn't cost me what American Tax Relief charged me!

I am going to report this company to the Better Business Bureau and any other Bureau I can find. Never - Never listen to the ads! This was a hard lesson to learn and live through.

William of Henderson, NV October 5, 2008

William of Henderson NV (10/05/08)
I paid them 5500.00 to help me fix my back due taxes. I finally got a response back from the IRS and I owe them more then before. So American Tax Relief did nothing and took my money.

I paid 5500.00 for nothing.

Kathy of Watsonville, CA September 29, 2008

Kathy of Watsonville CA (09/29/08)
In huge IRS debt and saw the TV commercial. Called and when you are desperate and afraid, I guess common sense goes out the window. Retainer fee to be 12,500 (Apparently fees based on how much you owe... more IRS debt, means you are more scared, and that much more susceptible to being talked into higher fees, which seem like nothing compared to IRS debt...) Since only had room on credit card of 6k, they agreed to take that, that day and balance on end of month 9/30/08.

Have never spoken to or received any advice and/or consultation from their staff attorneys and/or enrolled agents. Only communications were from their sales consultants who would call w/a friendly premise but always turned conversation to when could they expect to get the 6500 balance, 'could they get another credit card to run it through on?'. I would point out that due on 9/30, and ask about my case, but always conversation went back to the balance due.

Original sales guy was David, but on Friday, 9/26/08, someone named John called. Said he was David's partner so naturally I asked about my case. It quickly became apparent that the point of his call was collection of 6500 only using very strong-arm, collection agency type tactics. Escalated to where he was simply rude and I was not going to get any where w/him in civil manner, so I hung up. No call back from him to apologize or smooth out misunderstanding. Since this occured end of business day Friday, around 5:30 pm, over the weekend I faxed them a notice of my wish to discontinue our relationship, since no real activity performed on my behalf by them I requested a refund of the 6k already paid, and most importantly I revoked any POAs and credit card authorizations previously given. Faxed it down (hard copy via USPS this morning certified), because I wanted to give them written notice....but of course first thing this morning they have already drafted an additional 6500 from my credit account (today is 9/29/08, agreement calls for it to be drafted on 9/30/98).

Called them to drop charges and was told that it is non-refundable, which is ridiculous since I have received no service, was cancelling anyway, and in writing they were expressly told that they were not authorized to draft monies from any of my accounts. Needless to say, I have posted a complaint on Los Angeles County Better Business Bureau,  (where by the way they have an F rating...wish I had checked prior to...water under the bridge...). I am putting out fraud alert on my credit accounts (they have too much info about me...scary). I will file a small claims for the initial 6k. I am filing a complaint w/the Los Angeles county District Attorney's office Consumer Complaint Division.

Well, unless ATR agrees to refund my money, I am out 12,500. Plus the time and additional stress it is taking to get my money back.

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