I found out that my husband had filed 5 years' taxes without telling me, and he filed singly. I learned of this when I attempted to refinance a new home I had purchased in 2014.
He was self employed all of his life, and did well. I had worked full time from the age of eighteen. In 2007 I was in a car crash that broke my neck. Then I was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery. Many more terrible things had happened to my little family of four.
I sold my house after putting thousands of dollars into it. My husband divorced me for the equity in our home in Silicon Valley, San Jose, Ca. I want to set up the desperation and incredible stress I was under beginning with the crash.
When I learned of my tax situation, through my lender, I contacted tax attorneys in my new location, Elk Grove, Ca. Three of them( not including phone calls to several more tax preparers and specialists) advised me after I had H&R Block prepare all 5 returns, that me amount owed was under $10,000 and the IRS would more than likely forgive much of this debt. My circumstances were so rare I turned to Platinum tax defenders for assistance.
The conversation was brief, and I was confident that my issues could be resolved. I paid them $1,400.00. At first, all was well. I sent them copies of my returns. I was informed by the representative that all the documentation was received on their end. I called intermittently to review progress. Anytime I was calling with a question, however, the answers were weak, but at first I believed them. "We are waiting for an IRS reply". "The IRS TOLD US THAT YOU HAVE NOT FILED YOUR RETURNS". What? They had copies of everything right there. Then they said I needed to file 2011 and 2012, for which I had received refunds already. Again, they said I still needed to file. I think that, when calling, they were never prepared and had to make up anything. Also, in looking me returns over, my tax preparer had neglected many items. For example, hardship withdrawals from my 401k to support my grown sons, one of which was autistic. This is still an issue that I have no idea what to do about it. I left messages for representatives that were not returned, questions not answered. Even if I got an answer, it didn't make sense with my issues. I am, at this moment, shaking. The IRS has sent me a form CP2000, meaning my taxes were filed with income left off of the form completely.
Nothing, absolutely no help or support was given to me by these uncaring, inconsiderate, people who work at Platinum Tax Defenders.
They strung me along for months, until I got a letter from them, saying my yearly contract with them was closed. A year! I was offered a continuance, to solve my issues. I must pay
$500 more to continue.
I had a nervous breakdown. I have more cancer, both malignant on the top of my head, and now the thyroid. I'm sick. Im tired. Im on hold waiting for the IRS to answer. The stress is more than I can stand, because these ripoff artists that don't care. I can't afford to pay anything else. My retirement funds are nothing like they were. I consider my life to be over.
There is no one to trust. No one to ask. No one to talk with.
They should have done the job that they were paid to do, without all the run around weird questions, not relevant to me or my taxes!
Please, if your situation is complex, do NOT employ this company. They will blow you off, not communicate as they should, and, if they do, there is no resolution. No progress.
I was raised to be polite, especially when writing. I was a vp at a major international bank for 27 years, and I'm not stupid. I could do anything, solve any problem. So, you can imagine what I WISH I COULD WRITE ABOUT THIS COMPANY. Ranting won't help.
Please, a warning to anyone thinking about hiring this company. Don't do it. Don't.