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Report: #556899

Complaint Review: Instant Tax Services - Hamilton Ohio

  • Submitted:
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  • Reported By: Kaytie — Hamilton Ohio U.S.A.
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  • Instant Tax Services 1790 S. Erie Hwy., Suite F Hamilton, Ohio United States of America

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Hello


I wanted to warn anyone using Instant Tax Services or similar branches this year when filling your taxes.


I am a single parent on a very limited budget this year and need my refund fast.  I went to ITS (Instant Tax Service) because all there advertising peek my intrest, plus with one in almost every shopping plaza I mean come on, why would I think they are a joke right? WRONG!!!!


I filed my taxes off my W-2 on Jan. 7th.  I went right when they first opened so I didn't have any lines, coffee was hot and fresh, and the employees were seemingly nice and knowlegable (HaHaHA - what joke).  There were three options available when I filed my taxes.  I chose the route that gave me 2 refunds checks.  The first one I would receive on the 18th and the second about a week later (once they have received my funds from the IRS off my e-file return).  I was okay with that.  Kevin Bates was extremly helpful and answered all of my questions fully.  I thought man this is great.  The first step was for the IRS to "Accept" my refund.  The second step is the bank will have to approve the loan.  He asked me if I had used a RAL (refund Anticpated Loan) before and I told him once last year because I needed a car.  He then asked if I had any problems with recieving my RAL.  I told him no and he said there shouldn't be any problem, and as soon as the IRS opens on the 15th they will submit my taxes via e-file.  Okay, great that was simple, no problems there. 


Well, then came Sunday night (the 17th), I got a call from Kevin that said Hey great news, your refund was accepted by the IRS.  My response is Great does that mean I will be able to pick up my first check on Monday?  He says well, thats the problem; you were rejected by our Bank.  That kinda took me for suprise so I asked why I was rejected.  He told me he didn't know.  There was no error code on my return.  So what does that mean?  He again says I don't know.  I asked to speak to a manager and he was out.  Okay, fine I will call back tomorrow and find out why. 


So tomorrow comes, I speak to Lance Dohm.  Man talk about a duh, duh, duh man.  That was him.  I swear every other sentence had a duh in it at least once.  He didn't know why I was rejected and couldn't direct me on where to go. All I wanted to know was why.  I mean come on is there any one I could contact to tell me why.  He kept telling me no, there was nothing I could do.  I can expect my return on the 29th.  29th?  THe guy last night told me the 28th?  I asked who was his boss, wouldn't tell me.  Well who can I call, wouldn't tell me. 


Finially I called their Middletown Office and talked to the Manager Christy.  She didn't know why I wasn't approved since my file is not at her office.  So she gave me the number to corporate.  Corporate tells me the Owner is Kyle Wade and I needed to have my Store Manager contact him.  So I go up to ITS and ask for Lance.  He tells me he has no direct contact with Kyle.  I said well could you try?  Finially to get me off his back and goes in his office and calls Corporate comes back and tells me  I had to leave a message for him because he was gone for the day.  He works a Corporate huh?  Okay I will leave you alone (for now).  I get in my car and I call Corporate back, this time asking to speak with Kyle Wade and I too got put into his voicemail.  Okay, I got his voicemail and I decided to leave a message.  To my suprise Kyle called me back about an hour later.  Man was I shocked  I told him man I thought you were gone for the day.  He says nope I'm calling you aren't I. 


So, I asked Kyle why I wasn't approved, he said he would check into it and call me back in 15 minutes.  He did call me back (about another hour later - but hey beggers can't be choosers) and the verdict came back.  I am consider High Risk because my refund is to "large".  Yep that's it, I am getting to much money. 


With all the bail outs this year Bank's are on loan freezes (well some).  And places like this do not have the proper funding behind them.  Just ask Kyle he told me I was "preaching to the choir" on that one.  He has seen more rejections this year than any other year.  With all the tax incentives out there, our refunds are simply to large to be finianced under a RAL.


So please be aware before you file your taxes, if you need it fast companies like Instant Tax Services is NOT what you are looking for.  Don't screw yourself with your bills like I did.  I will keep you updated on my status as I go.  I contacted our local John Matarese with Channel 9's Don't waste your money and he has emailed me back asking for an interview.  Keep your fingers crossed for me and I will do the same for all of you.  Sorry I don't feel they should advertise RAL when in fact they can't supply, but man can they charge.  I want to warn everyone out there to be careful.  You can be rejected but that doesn't change your refund amount.  Before you put yourself in a pinch "BUYER BEWARE"(--- Thanks John)


Oh and I side note I just realized ITS doesn't insure my refund for accurancy.  So, any problems fall on me!!!  Great, lets just keep adding to my list.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 01/19/2010 02:59 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/instant-tax-services/hamilton-ohio-45011/instant-tax-services-instant-tax-service-not-what-you-sign-for-hamilton-ohio-556899. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
1Author
7Consumer
1Employee/Owner

#9 UPDATE EX-employee responds

They are SHUT DOWN!!!!

AUTHOR: In the Know - ()

POSTED: Thursday, November 07, 2013
I am happy to say I among many other ex-employees helped shut them down with our testimony against them.....
 
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Federal Court in Ohio Shuts Down Nation’s Fourth-Largest Tax-Preparation Firm and Bars CEO from Tax-Preparation Business
 
 Judge Finds that Instant Tax Service Franchisor Defrauded Customers, Obstructed the IRS and Violated Court Orders on Lending Practices

A federal court has entered a permanent injunction ordering ITS Financial LLC, the parent company of the Instant Tax Service franchise, to cease operating, the Justice Department announced today.  The injunction order, which was signed yesterday by Judge Timothy S. Black of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, also bars Fesum Ogbazion, the sole owner and CEO of ITS Financial, from operating or being involved with any business relating to tax-return preparation.  The court issued the order following a two-week trial in Cincinnati in June 2013.

 Instant Tax Service, which is based in Dayton, Ohio, claimed to be the fourth-largest tax-preparation firm in the nation.  According to the court, ITS Financial had about 150 franchisees that filed over 100,000 tax returns each year in 2011 and 2012.  Two other entities owned by Ogbazion, Tax Tree LLC and TCA Financial LLC, were also defendants in the case and were also ordered to cease operating.

 The court found that Ogbazion and his defendant companies had:

 Filed tax returns for customers without their permission and encouraged franchisees to do the same;

  • Clandestinely trained and encouraged franchisees to prepare and file tax returns prematurely with paycheck stubs that omitted and understated income and inevitably resulted in the submission of false federal tax returns;
  • Defrauded customers, who were largely low-income, by marketing false and fraudulent loan products to lure them into the tax-preparation offices;
  • Defrauded customers by requiring franchisees to charge phony and exorbitant fees;
  • Forged customers’ signatures on loan checks and used those forged checks to operate Ogbazion’s businesses;
  • Willfully failed to pay over $1 million of their own employment taxes and lied about assets in connection with the collection of those taxes, while hiding money in a secret bank account and defrauding the United States and third party creditors;
  • Lied on government forms and encouraged franchisees to do the same;
  • Obstructed government agents and materially assisted franchisees in circumventing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) law-enforcement efforts involving the suspension of electronic filing identification numbers; and
  • Told franchisees to lie to government agents in connection with IRS compliance visits.

 Read more here: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/November/13-tax-1196.html

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#8 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Agree! File Charges! AUTHOR: In the Know - CANON CITY

AUTHOR: manupfly - (United States of America)

POSTED: Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Hello, IN THE KNOW!
How can I get in touch with you! I want to tell you my story as an employee!
Please let me know how I can reach you. 

Good job for standing up.

manupfly

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#7 UPDATE EX-employee responds

File Charges

AUTHOR: In the Know - (United States of America)

POSTED: Wednesday, April 11, 2012

I was a store and regional manager for a franchise owner of this company for five years and helped within their corporate office as well. The main location in Dayton allows and ENCOURAGES this. All of those fees are refundable. The Service Bureau fee is to help pay their franchise fee to headquarters.

They have been filing taxes illegally and fraudulently the five years I was there, and this past year (I have friends who still work for them). 

If the justice department wants to get hold of me for testimony against them, I would be willing to tell all that I know about how they run business. 

They only use ADP to download W2's, otherwise they will get the company info and EIN off other websites (such as knowx.com) so they can file without the tax clients knowledge. When these offices are audited by the IRS they go in to files and print off system printed W2's and doctors pages that were supposed to have been filled out originally, then lie to the IRS auditor. They also allow all preparers to use each others log in information into their software so you never really know who actually filed their taxes. I ran across about 200 returns in just one year that I never touched. They actually gave my password to someone else, and the owners would come in after hours and e-file returns that never should have been.

I tried warning them the entire time I was there. I'm tired of seeing them rip good people off. 

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#6 Consumer Comment

I also was denied for the Ral..And Lied to over and over AGAIN...

AUTHOR: sherry - (United States of America)

POSTED: Thursday, January 26, 2012

I was reading the Ral requirements and it said to qualify you have to at least get a $3000 return and have more than 2 dependents. My return is over $5000 and i had 4 dependents.. The company is an all around SCAM>>> Also the Lender is Tax Tree and if u look them up on Google they are under investigation.... I also was told scene i didn't qualify for the RAL that my hole refund would be in on Jan. 25th 20012. We went there and they said that the people that filed on the 18th got pushed to February 1st.. So i Called Tax Tree and he informed me that it wont be until February 7th cause that is when the IRS is going to deposit my money into there account.. I thought when u get approved by the IRS these company's issue you a check. So today I am calling the IRS.. And other tax preparer company's to see how they work.. I am also reporting them to the IRS, BBB, And calling our local news.. Anyone reading this DO NOT GO TO INSTANT TAX !!!!!!!   This was the MIDDLETOWN OFFICE IN OHIO.....  

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#5 Consumer Comment

I also was denied for the Ral..And Lied to over and over AGAIN...

AUTHOR: sherry - (United States of America)

POSTED: Thursday, January 26, 2012

I was reading the Ral requirements and it said to qualify you have to at least get a $3000 return and have more than 2 dependents. My return is over $5000 and i had 4 dependents.. The company is an all around SCAM>>> Also the Lender is Tax Tree and if u look them up on Google they are under investigation.... I also was told scene i didn't qualify for the RAL that my hole refund would be in on Jan. 25th 20012. We went there and they said that the people that filed on the 18th got pushed to February 1st.. So i Called Tax Tree and he informed me that it wont be until February 7th cause that is when the IRS is going to deposit my money into there account.. I thought when u get approved by the IRS these company's issue you a check. So today I am calling the IRS.. And other tax preparer company's to see how they work.. I am also reporting them to the IRS, BBB, And calling our local news.. Anyone reading this DO NOT GO TO INSTANT TAX !!!!!!!       

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#4 Author of original report

Update/ Reply

AUTHOR: Kaytie - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, January 28, 2010

Wow, to the person who call me obese.  Don't you have anything else better to do with your time than to than to critize some one else appearance?  I guess not in reading your response, but thank you for listening to what I had to say.  I guess you were to distracted to hear what I was really saying. 

First off,  I now know that the RAL was a dumb move on my behalf.  It cost me a lot of headaches and time.  I am upset with the tax place I went to.  Not for my original appointment were I filed my return this year (I was happy about that, they were friendly and kind, I knew what I was paying for the service I wanted).  But for the response I got when I was rejected off the loan.  I filed my taxes on the 7th of January and was offered a product that was cancelled on the 11th and I found out about it on the 17th!!  When I went to find out what was going on, I never got a straight answer.  Only bulls*t answers.  If you were you in my shoes, you would want to know why it happened to you.  Not because you think you are going to change the outcome but because you want to know why.  That is all I wanted.  I only found out the product was not in existense this monday the 25th and I found that out from John Matarese, not Instant Tax Service.  They were very blank and vague when I was asking them questions and was not willing to take the time to investigate it themselves (sorry, I need to correct that.... The store and its manager was not, Kyle Wade the owner did take the time and told me it was to large; but it was difficult to find out who he was or to contact him because the store did not want to help me).  I feel if I am going to pay what I did for something and not get it then I should have a right to know why, and when I couldn't yeah it upset me as it would you too.  I have simple taxes with simple deductions, it is not rocket science and I usually do my taxes free by myself.  This year has been extremley tough on me and I am not trying to put the blame of that on anyone else but it happens to be the reason I opted for a RAL this year.  It was my decision and it happened to be a bad one.  I am so happy for you that you have not felt the effect from the economy this year.  You are truely fortunate and blessed and as much as I would like to lash out on you regarding you comments on my weight and financial status I truely hope you don't suffer like a lot of us have.  I don't know why you think I have all these medical issues from my weight when I have not one.  I have problems with my ears and have had to have surgrey on them this year, my sons also has the same problem but also has problems with his eyes.  These are not weight related medical conditions but rather genitic disorders that we were born with.  My health care plans stinks.  I basically get their discount and I am responsible to pay everything else.  Do you know how much it cost to be put under for a 10 minute procedere?  A couple thousand dollars.  I had a savings account but this year has wiped me almost completly dry.  I had a pay cut this year beacuse I work at a small firm.  I lost more than 30% of my income.  So yeah, it it harder to keep putting money back for a rainy day.  When your bills don't change just because your income does. 

Another thing/ update.  John told everyone that Kyle Wade was going to refund some of my fees.  I want you to know that first off, I have not once asked for my money back.  I read my terms (which by the way I was not originally given to me until after this whole ordeal, so while this whole thing was going on I could not find all the answers I was looking for) and as unhappy as I am about the turn out of my experience I know this bad decision cost me money that I really couln't afford.  But also to let you know that was Kyle Wade response in an email to John that John has forwarded to me.  Not once have they called me or offered to refund some of my money. It was what he told them so that they could look better in the eyes of the media.  Not something I requested or demanded. Yes, in the beginning I was mad, angry and upset.  Emotions that all of us feel when something like this happens.  I have gone through my emotions and searched with in my sole.  What happened stinks, I still don't have my refund.  Who is to blame for that?  ME, that is who to blame for this.  So, what do I want to take from this experience, that is simple.  RAL are a waste of your money.  I wanted to get that out.  I want to share my story so that anyone else facing my situation will not make the same choice I did.  It's a lot better feeling when you do it the right way the first time and if I stop one person from going through this well then this is worth it.  I don't want anyone to waste their money, not even the person who wants to critize me on things that they know nothing about, nor is correct on what was said about me personally.  So, in response to you.  I pray for you because if you judge and critize everyone you meet then not only are you going to have a lonly old age, but you are going to have some explaining to do for the man up above.

And one more thing, not that it is your concern or right to know but only because I want you to know just how ignorant your comment was.  I receive no help from the government.  They don't pay my medical, my food nor my child care.  I support myself and my family on my own income.  And this year is the first year since I was eighteen I recieved the earned income credit, because Obama raised the standard for the earned income credit.  If it wasn't for that I would have not gotten the credit nor the big refund, he did it to help people like me out.  So, please don't think you pay for me or my medical bills because you don't, that simple.

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#3 Consumer Comment

Out of Line

AUTHOR: Carolyn - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, January 28, 2010

This is not to reply to the original complaint but the out of line rebuttel calling the author obese and a w***e.  While the author should have not expected an instant refund no matter how well the economy or banks are doing, there is no cause to talk s**t like that.  It only takes less than a person to hide behind an anonomous name and posting to rant like that.  If you feel so strongly, have the decency (or balls if you are a man) to stand behind your beliefs.

I too am a single mother to 2 small children, living paycheck to paycheck.  I am so grateful to have a job in this economy and to make my rent and pay most of my bills on time.  But because life does hand you surprises, and the refund of my taxes instantly can help.  My children's father is not a deadbeat, and even though we are not together, he contributes by paying for the children's schooling and their healthcare.  Otherwise on my small salary, I would not be able to make it.  I am not a w***e, nor do I believe the author is either.  I do not ask the government for any assistance and am proud that I do not have to.

As to the obese comment-pal you are out of line.  Grow up and stop complaining. 

 

 

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#2 General Comment

Obesity

AUTHOR: anonymous - (USA)

POSTED: Thursday, January 28, 2010

Dear Complainer,

There are plenty of immigrants with 4 kids working in the United States earning a living far below what you probably earn.  I am positive if given the chance for your position, they could still support an entire family, have money saved, and not rely on tax refunds to catch up on necessary bills.  Your excuse of being a single mother and blame on the economy on John Matarese warrants the fact that you should not have spread your legs in the first place. It is not societies issue if your baby daddy is not providing, so please save your sap story and blame for the toilet.  It is not the government or banks duty to fulfill your request on a loan against your taxes in order for your personal bills to be paid on time. Just because you work doesn't mean you are entitled to anything.  Every American is born into priveledge. You work, manage your money, pay your bills. Learn the value of a dollar!!! PLAIN AND SIMPLE! Any intelligent consumer out there would do research before they actually proceeded with a process involving 3rd parties and money.  Had you been smart enough to read the terms, you wouldn't have "screwed" yourself now would you?

I'll add something else to your list. 1/3 of Americans are obese; and from the video, you fall into that 1/3 category.  If you actually think about it; you and 1/3 of americans are screwing the other 2/3 of americans out of MILLIONS on health care premium every year because of your doritos eating habits and lack of EXERCISE!  How about you cut back in the junk food isle, purchase a pair of gym shoes then put them to good use.  You complain about a fee being charged to use a service when there are costs involved.  I on the other hand have to pay thousands in health insurance premium to support the outrageous rising cost of health care to keep your arteries from being clogged. I just can't justify ignorance upon your behalf on issues that could have been prevented by you.  So until you help tackle larger issues to stop screwing 2/3 of us for your laziness...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pinch your lips and save the "buyer beware" for more important issues. 

 

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#1 REBUTTAL Owner of company

Instant Tax Sevice- My customers love our great customer service!

AUTHOR: TAX GIRL - (United States of America)

POSTED: Saturday, January 23, 2010

Instant Tax Service Offices are independently owned and operated. I am sorry to hear about your frustrating experience at the Hamilton Instant Tax Service. You can imagine MY frustration when I see someone upset with Instant Tax Service. Many folks think we are one in the same, this in not the case. Instant Tax Service offices are independently owned and operated, I own 5 offices in southern, Ohio. It is true, that refunds are much, much larger this year. There are many cases banks will not approve large loans. You may not have had problems in the past however; the underwriting departments at many banks are tightening up their larger loans. You mentioned places like this do not have the proper funding behind them. Im not sure if you understand but Instant Tax Service does not use their own funds to offer loans. Most tax companies use Refund Banks and many of us use the same one! Example: You may get your taxes done at tax office (A) one year, then next year you decide to try someone new and go to tax office (B). More than likely these two different tax companies are using the exact same refund bank. Yes, its true! Actually the bank we use to process our refund loans is one of the largest Refund Banks in the nation. I can understand your frustration, you had a bad experience and you wanted to share. You have every right to do so! However, I'd really like to make things right. Id be more than happy to process your 2010 tax return at no fees to make up for the misunderstanding in the Hamilton office. Please get in contact with me at instanttaxoffice@yahoo.com. Here are just a few comments from MY clients whove visited our southern offices these past few weeks- Samuel C. Great Tax Place, Thanks! William S. Staff was very professional and made sure all my questions were answered, James E. I will continue to use your service, as well recommend you to other friends as well as family, Jonathon F. Thank You! Leann D. The people here are great! Millie T. Great Job! Bonnie C. Very well organized. Thank you, Instant Tax Service Franchisee

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