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H&R Block Electronic Filing

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Kirsten of E. Falmouth MA (1/25/05):
Last year a friend paid H&R Block to file my taxes for me via electronic file through the computer. We went back and forth with needed information for over a week, and finally they said it was sent. I believe the cost was over $100.00. I was out of town and was expecting my [large] refund,and kept checking regularly, as I had overdue bills and life insurance premium past due.

I returned home several weeks later, having spent a lot of money checking my bank balances, as the refund was to go directly into my bank account. When I returned I called the IRS info line to check the status of my refund and was told my tax return was never filed. Thank goodness I had printed out a draft copy; otherwise all that information would have been lost. Subsequently I had to file by mail.

I paid many penalties for late payments and my friend was out the money he charged on his credit card. Furthur,they NEVER told me that they did not file -- had I not checked prior to 4/15 I would have been in default of the tax laws.

Vicky of Columbus OH (1/19/03):
I calmly requested then argued with H&R Block Tax preparer and his Manager last year. I even called the home office in another state for customer complaints, to no avail. My concern was my sister who lives in rent-control Metropolitan Housing, receives Food Stamps and makes very little income.

She wanted a quick tax Return. I could have filed it for her FOR FREE on the internet due to her Income. She ended up paying $160.00 to H&R Block for an E-Z FORM! I told them she is mentally-challenged which they had to have picked up on. They defended themselves saying they throughly EXPLAINED the process to her and she AGREED to it!

They forgot to MENTION to her that she could get it filed for free at many places or by someone with a computer (ME) due to her low-income status and short-Form filing form! Up until 2003 I filed it over the PHONE for her in about 15 minutes, both her Federal & State Tax! She got a ride to the office and thought she would surprise me because I always do her taxes for her every year and usually she gets it back in 2 or 3 weeks.

That "instant refund" was like drawing a POOR MOTH to the flame! H&R Block would not concede and did not return one red cent to her! Her total refund was about $600.00 and they took $160.00 of it to file an E-Z Short Form!

Jessica of Palmyra, NJ, writes: (3/2/01):
On 2-3-01, my husband and I went to H&R block to use the electronic filing system that they advertise to file out Federal Income tax return and have our tax return direct-deposited into our checking account within two weeks to expedite this return. We paid $100.00 for this service.

On 2-14-01, I received a call from H&R block that told me they have my check there to be picked up. I questioned this because it was supposed to be direct-deposited. The woman told me that the check was from a finance company, Household Finance, who does the rapid refund financing for H&R Block. They took $266.95 in fees out of our return for bank fees, etc. We did not apply for this rapid refund loan at any time for any type of financing.

On 2-15-01, I went to the office to see the manager, Tina, who said this was an error on their part and that she would submit a refund for the finance charges on a loan that we did not apply for nor request. She also stated that we would get out $100.00 back since our tax return was sent to Household Finace Corp and not direct-deposited into our account, which was the service that we paid for, which made a total of $366.95. I have not received my money back from them.

I contacted Tina on 3-1-01 and she was surprised that we still have not recieved a check and told me that Pat Perry handles this who is the overall supervisor for Burlington County NJ. I contacted Pat and she said, "Who told you you were due money back? I've never heard of you".

I explained the situation, that somehow, I was defrauded $266.95 of my return and it was due back to me along with a $100.00 refund for a service I did pay for and I didn't receive.

I am out $366.95 ($266.95 of which were taken from my refund for bank fees and finance charges on a rapid refund loan that I did not apply for nor receive in 2 days which the rapid refund advertises. This Pat Perry will not take my calls or reply to the written faxes I have sent her office including a written document form the Marlton office saying that I did not apply, nor authorize this service or its fees.

Jessica should write a certified, return-receipt-requested letter (faxes and phone calls are NOT sufficient) stating her case and demanding a full refund within 15 days. If she doesn't receive it, she can sue the company in Small Claims, Court.

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