Media contact: Janet C. Hart, APR, CFEE (704) 927-8617 office
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Now that you have your W-2 form from your employer, you are probably anxious to get your taxes done, especially if you anticipate getting a refund.
The BBB has information about options you have for doing your taxes.
- Do your taxes yourself – If your tax situation is not complicated, you may decide to do your taxes yourself. The IRS has all the forms and instructions you will need on their website.
- Use a tax preparation software like Turbo Tax. This is a popular option chosen by millions of people. It is inexpensive, less time-consuming, user-friendly and includes the option to e-file. Turbo Tax is a product of Intuit, Inc. which is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating. Consumers nationwide have filed 1,033 complaints with the BBB against Intuit, Inc. in the last 36 months, all of which have been resolved.
- Use a local tax accountant. If your taxes are more complex, you may need to use an accountant. There are many well-qualified accountants in the Southern Piedmont area of NC and SC. Visit the BBB to find a BBB Accredited Accountant.
- Use a tax preparation service. The BBB suggests that you do your homework to check out the tax preparation service before you contract with them or agree to a refund loan advance. Visit the BBB to find a BBB Accredited Tax Preparation Service.
The BBB has information about some of the more well-known tax preparation services and their business practices:
· H&R Block (BBB Grade A) - H & R Block is a national company that is a BBB Accredited Business. However, some of its franchise offices are locally operated and are not BBB Accredited Businesses. BBB grades for local H & R Block offices range from A to NR*. Consumers nationwide have filed 1,362 complaints with the BBB against H&R Block in the last 36 months, all of which have been resolved.
· Liberty Tax Service (BBB Grade A+) – Liberty Tax Service is famous for having people dressed in Statue of Liberty costumes on street corners. Liberty Tax Service is a national company that is a BBB Accredited Business. However, many of its franchise offices are locally owned and are not BBB Accredited Businesses. Liberty Tax Service has multiple locations in the Southern Piedmont area of NC and SC and their individual BBB grades range from A+ to NR*.
· Instant Tax Service (BBB Grade NR*) – Instant Tax Service is a BBB Accredited Business that is currently under review by the BBB as a result of a high volume of recent complaints filed against the business. Thirty-four consumers have filed complaints against local Instant Tax Service offices in the last two weeks. These complainants cite problems with refund delays, higher than expected tax return preparation fees, and refund checks being returned for insufficient funds.
· Mo Money Taxes - (BBB Grade F) - Mo Money Taxes has outrageous commercials designed to get attention. In 2010, the NC Commissioner of Banks brought legal action against the company for failing to disclose its refund anticipation loan fee schedule to consumers in advance. Based in Memphis, Mo Money Taxes has offices nationwide. Within the past few days, BBB offices across the country have received reports from consumers about refund checks being returned for insufficient funds, local offices being closed and phones being disconnected.
For more information on tax-related issues, please visit BBB.
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*NR = No Rating because the business is under review by the BBB or the company has closed.