Innovative Tax Relief Ripoff Deceptive dishonest promised tax relief didn't submit the offer in comprimise for a year Los Angeles California

In July,2005, after seeing a commercial on cable tv for help with tax relief, I called the 800 # advertised. I spoke with a man named Frank Stiner. Gave him my complete financial info, and was assured I qualified for an offer in compromise,based on my (then) current income and tax liability. Mr. Stiner assured me my federal tax bill would be reduced by thousands. He told me he owned the business, and had qualified tax attorneys and enrolled agents on staff.

I had to pay $3100 up front,(charged),and submitted to them my bank statements, tax returns, etc. as requested. Again, this was in July of 2005.

I was told by Mr. Stiner it would take 3-4 months, so I was not concerned in the beginning when I didn't hear anything. When I would call for status, I was continually told I would hear something in "several weeks". Months went by, and I was told a James Catapay was now working on my file....same story, "several weeks". Stiner, "the owner", was no longer there.

They became more and more rude and unresponsive. Finally, in the spring of this year,(2006) a Janett Mata got my file. Every time someone new got my file, I had to re-send new bank statements etc. In all this time, a year, they had lied to me and never had submitted the information to IRS. In the meanwhile, I had obtained a second job, and when they finally submitted the paperwork to IRS, in September of 2006, I no longer qualified.

I have spoken directly with Gwendolyn Lee at IRS, and at her request, have sent them a narrative regarding this experience. Innovative even lied to her, saying they couldn't reach me, and sent a manufactured P and L statement that could not be substantiated. I was advised by IRS they want to be informed of these deceptive companies and will investigate.

I finally (too late) looked up this company at the L A Better Business Bureau web site (labbb.org). They are rated an "F", with many complaints.

This is the worst company I have ever dealt with, and they should be shut down. They are deceptive, and will say anything to get your $$. Even the BBB tried to get them to clean up their advertising, without success.

I am worse off than I was, plus I was scammed out of $3100. Beware...Don't go near this company.

Judy
Sacramento, California
U.S.A.