Instant Tax Service Instant Tax Service - Preadatory Lenders Atlanta, Georgia

I am a customer of Instant Tax Service, on 1955 Campbellton Rd, in Atlanta, GA.

I went in, just as all the other customers did, with the expectation of having a significant check, after bringing in my paystub. However, I was only "approved" for $50, she then did my taxes and let me know that my refund, was $3462. And with the RAL, that I signed up for, my refund would be $2707.  Now, that is $755 worth of fees for a 48 RAL.

I do admit, that is a extremely ridiculous amount to pay for a tax refund, however, my bf and I lost our jobs, just days before. We had just moved into a more expensive rental property, have a car note, and most importantly, a disabled daughter. We had to make sure, that we received the money as soon as possible, so that we could make our rent
and feed our child.

I ultimately filed on the 10th of January, and with the knowledge that the IRS would not be accepting returns, until the 17th, I was very patient, prior to calling about the status of the refund.  I called approx the 20th of January, and found out that my return had not been filed (I actually called the IRS and they informed me that it had not
been received, I then called Instant Tax) because, they could not pull my W-2 offline. Hannah, told me that they had been trying to contact me, however they were unsuccessful. Be mindful, I supplied them with my cell, work (former) and an email address.

Fast forward about 2 weeks, and I was able to get them my w2, this happened on Feb. 1st. I called on February 6, to find out that my return was accepted by the IRS and that they were waiting for my check. She then said, I would be getting it by Feb. 15th! I was shocked. I asked her about me signing up for the RAL and she said that, for those that did
that, Instant Tax received confirmation from the bank to print the check, within 2-3 days. And the remaining balance, would be delivered by the 15th.

I then called again on the 7th, only to be told that I was NOT approved for the RAL and that Hannah (the person I was once again speaking with) would call me back in a half and hour with the date, I should expect my check. Still no word. However, before we hung up, she explained to me, that I was NOT charged for the RAL and that the fees were normal! WHAT! $755 is not a normal fee for a return, expected in 2 weeks!

I am now hanging on by a thread, no rent paid, no gas paid, no electricity paid, no grocery money, no car note paid! NOTHING! No one ever explained, that the RAL depended upon an approval, nor did they say, if I was approved that it would cost an additional $100 for that service. This is what Hannah told me on the phone today. I don't know if
my worry supersedes my anger. I need to pay my rent and my car note. I need to buy food for my child, and get my medicine, for my blood disorder and another serious ailment.

What am I to do? They are so nonchalant with how they handle you and YOUR money. Charging outrageous fees, for a 2 week return as if its that price all across the board! They advertise, one thing and then you go online to research the company and its the SAME EXACT COMPLAINT across the country. They deny you the loan and then make you wait, all
the while they are charging you this outrageous fee.

I will take the blame, for signing for that fee amount. I was overcome with the challenge of taking care of my household. However, I did not sign up for a fee that would only grant me the luxury of waiting for 2 weeks for a check! Come on, the complaints go on for days, yet they are allowed to continue and recruit those that are in desperate need for their money.

That fee, if I had known, would only be for filing on my behalf, would not have been accepted by me. And I would have used that to pay for groceries, diapers, and bills for my family.  I accept responsibility for signing my money away, but to not fully express the ins and outs of the process, is misleading.