I had seen advertisements for TaxMasters on CNN numerous times before deciding to give them a call to see how they might be able to help me. Before I called I checked out their website. It appeared to be a legitamite company. I read the testimonials, which I now realize were probably made up. Too late now.
When I called back in August of course the person who answered the phone had his sales pitch down pat. He explained to me that the people at TaxMasters are all CPAs and former agents of the IRS. I told him what how much I owed for back taxes and he tried to assure me that they would be able to reduce my liability for pennies on the dollar. He genuinely seemed to be of help to me. So, I fell for it and set up an installment plan. I paid $500 up front and over the course of several months paid them a total of $3500. Money which could have gone to the IRS had I not believed this company could help me.
In the past year, trying to get a hold of them has been like pulling teeth. I've been assigned to one person after another supposedley "handling my case". At one point, I had gone to my bank only to find out there had been a lein taken out on my account. The IRS had wiped out what I had in there. I put a stop to the lein with no help from TaxMasters, but was questioning whether or not they were doing anything on my behalf or not. I was told to send them the last three months of my paycheck stubs, bills, bank account statements, etc. Because the IRS needed this in order to consider my offer in comprimise.
This offer, by the way, was not pennies on the dollar. They suggested that I offer about half of what I owe. I was so tired of dealing with TaxMasters by this time, so I agreed to offer the IRS half. I don't even think TaxMasters sent in the paperwork I worked so hard to come up with. Soon after, the IRS asked me to send in the last three months, also! Now I just found out the IRS rejected my offer. Of course, once again, TaxMasters has not responded to me regarding this.
I'm out $3500 for absolutley nothing. Money that I could not afford to waste in the first place. I strongly believe that TaxMasters prey on vulnerable people in desperate situations. I'm sorry that I ever allowed myself fall victim to them.
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