Instant Tax
Yorda Kidane-owner, Benny Yohannes-tax preparer Unauthorized Income tax filed

Tax preparer Benny Yohannes agent for Instant Tax inputted figures I gave him off last pay stub and estimate of what my unemployment would be for 2010 to give me what he called an estimated tax refund I would receive. This was early in January before the IRS had given a date when income tax returns could be efiled to them. He offered a $50 loan which I signed for, before he left he made an attempt to print out the info I had given him for my records and said his printer wasn't working and could I come back the following day for copies.

This also included copies of what I had signed for the $50 loan. I called many times to get these copies but he would never return my call. The $50 loan was put on a pre-paid credit card. Since I did not authorize him to file anything and he was uncooperative in returning my calls I chose to use Liberty Tax Service the day before January 14 when the IRS would begin accepting returns. A day later Liberty informed me it was rejected by the IRS.

I knew immediately that it had something to do with Instant Tax and again left multiple message for Benny Yohannes at Instant Tax to return my call which he would not. I went into the location at Rapid Cash where Benny Yohannes was operating out of on So. Eastern in Las Vegas and he immediately told me my return was approved and it would be put on the pre-paid card January 28. Again he could not give me copies of anything.

The day before January 28th I went on the website "Where is my refund?" but I did not know the exact amount of my refund and called Benny at Instant Tax. I used another persons cell phone thinking he knew my number and that was why he wasn't answering my calls. He answered immediately and I asked him my refund amount on my tax return. He gave me a figure and I inputted into the website for the Irs with my social security number. It came back no information each time I tried. I then called the IRS and explained to the agent my problem and she inputted my social security number and my refund came up. The refund amount was $700 more then the amount Benny had given me. He lied to me flat out as he knew I had nothing to refer back to. When my refund was put on the pre-paid card it was the lower amount he had told me not the amount the IRS agent gave me as my refund.

I began calling Instant Tax on his cell and he would not call me. I complained to his immediate supervisor who cussed me out and threatened to call police and file a report I was lieing. I then called the location which this Instant Tax was located in Rapid Cash and asked if they had a business license on file for them and they told me no but gave me the owners name and number to call. I immediately called the number and was told the owner Yorda Kidane was not in and I left a message. She never called me back.

Again I used someone elses cell phone and again called Benny for an explaination on the $700 difference, he answered and immediately was angry and told me yes he charged me that difference to do my income tax return and hung up.
I wrote a letterr to the owner of Instant Tax, the Better Business Bureau and the criminal investigation unit of the IRS and sent copies to the owner. I also contacted Channel 13 in Las Vegas who has a division called "You ask we Investigate".

It is now almost 30 days after the fact, I still have not been able to get copies of the return they filed or an explaination of the charges. Since all the various contacts I have made to varies places the owner did call me wanting to settle the problem. I received a check for $24.95 a refund for "Tax Preparation charges" which again is a mystery where that came from. I wrote a letter to the owner again requesting copies of my 2010 Income Tax return and all documents I signed for the loan and explaination of the $700 charges. I also called yesterday to the owner with no return call back.
This seems to be a trade practice of many Instant Tax locations, maybe they teach it in a class when training their agents for their company.

I have told the owner this is a simple fix-give me a copy of my return and the loan documents and it would prove my signature giving authorization to file my tax return on my behalf. If it was within the loan papers nothing was explained to me about their prep charges, input to the IRS, service charges, loan charges etc or what they were going to deduct out of my refund. I can not find a business license or and IRS number assigned to be able to prepare peoples income tax returns. I am going to continue to contact whoever I have to so I can get the documents that anyone should receive from a company doing business in this field.

Company: Instant Tax
Country: USA
State: Nevada
City: Las Vegas
Address: 5676 S Eastern
Phone: 7023253465

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