I'm a single mom, who recently became unemployed. So in order to "save" my house from foreclosure, I get my W-2 and my 1099 and head off to the Jackson Hewitt. Now normally I go to H&R Block, but a friend told me she always got more money back from Jackson Hewitt, and to try them. So I did.
When I arrived at the "Office" I sat down, handed the lady my forms, and started talking to her about my taxes. We made casual chit chat while she typed and did her thing. I asked her, "I didn't file taxes on my unemployment, I really needed the money, is this going to effect my tax return greatly?" She looked at the document saw that it was for a little over $5,000 and said "Nooo, you're a single mom, you'll get credits." Feeling relieved she continued to type in my information and in a mere 20 minutes I was told I would be receiving over $4,000 back from the IRS and nearly $700 from the state. Delighted I took the next day check (loan) which was going cost me, but like I said I had a foreclosue about to happen. So, I thanked her and was on my way.
The next day I returned, picked up my check that was issued off a place in CA and went directly to my bank. I cashed the check, and went to Western Union $3,000 to Country Wide Home loans. I felt really good that I wasn't going to have to explain to my 8yr old what foreclosure means.
A few weeks passed and I didn't see my state return. I called the 1-800 number they provided and kept hearing a recording that there was no new information. Finally I went back to the office and asked the lady and she couldn't give me any information. So I finally called the State of Michigan to see what was going on.
I was told that I had a hold on the check because the amout of the return was wrong. I aksed him how this could be. He told me to look at line 19 on my return, what did it say?"Nothing" He informed me that it should say $5,085 which was the amount of my unemployment payments. But since it was not claimed they were adjusting the return. I confidently informed him, that I had a "professional" do the return and was he sure? He assured me that the 10 years he had been doing his job, he was sure of the error.
I immediately drove to the tax office. I met with the same lady who filed my taxes and she said..."Hmmm, yeah they weren't filed." Well DUH lady. So now what. She ASSURED me that since the state corrected the problem that was all there was to do. I had a hard time believeing that the federal gov't wouldn't want a cut of my money... She made a call, and said, "nope, its all fine don't worry." I left but still thinking that this was not right.
A few hours passed and I noticed I had 2 missed calls on my cell phone. Sure enough, it was her tellling me that the error was caught and as long as I sent in $1320 to the IRS by April 15th I should be fine. They offered to file an amendment for me for free, and wanted me to call them. I called... I called the 1-800 number I wanted to talk to a manager. So I got a hold of the manager who told me it was "Human error" and there was nothing he could do for me but file an amendment.
I went home and called the 1-800 number again. I wanted HIS manager. They said and I quote "Sorry, we can't give out that information" I said "excuse me?" Nope no name was given. I contacted the BBB and SURPRISE they are not registered. I contacted the 1-800 number again and said I wanted to file a complaint, so she took my complaint, and it's been over a month, I haven't heard anything.
Yesterday I called the IRS to find out what I had to do, did I file an extension, or could they wait because the BBB said to take them to small claims court. The man at the IRS laughed at me and said..."I have worked her for many many years, you will never find a judge that will grant you that. YOU owe the IRS and that is that." I owe the IRS? What??? So I down loaded form 9465 which is a installment agreement where I have to fork out $43 to get the agreement arranged. OH and the Gov't stimulus payment we're all suppoed to get? Not me, because now I owe the IRS. So when you go to have your taxes done, ask about "human Error" ask what they will cover. The "Gold Option" that Jackson Hewitt has all over their literature, when I asked about that I was told they don't offer that service any more... Gee I wonder why.
Devvyn213
Jackson, Michigan
U.S.A.
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