FORT MILL, SC (WBTV) - David Ward has been preparing taxes for people in Fort Mill for 48 years. Over the years he's seen many changes in the tax business.
"It's a little better now than it was then because now we have computers," said Ward with a laugh.
He's also seen a lot of scams come and go, but he says the biggest scam he's seen lately with tax preparers is over fees and speedy refunds.
"They say that they can get you more back and I've heard that so much. And I say well we've all got the same tax table and they can't get you any more back than John Doe out there," said Ward.
It's that kind of honesty in the Tax business that has given him an A plus rating with the Better Business Bureau, but Maryanne Dailey with the BBB says there are many people out there looking to scam folks.
"Take a few minutes, be diligent, do your home work," said Dailey
The IRS says about 60 percent of Americans will use a tax preparer. One scam is, preparers have been known to skim off their clients' refunds, and charge inflated fees for preparation services. Then attract new customers by promising guaranteed or inflated refunds.
BBB Tips for Doing Your Taxes
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 web site.
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.
Dailey says people simply need to read the fine print before signing any paper a tax preparer puts in front of them.
"Prior to signing it they sit down and read it if that means they have to come back the next day then that's what they need to do," said Dailey.
"We try to be straight with you I don't try to hide nothing and I'll tell them straight out front so we've never had a problem," said Ward.
Because even though the IRS wants it, it's your money, so if you don't do your own taxes find someone who Uncle Sam would trust too.
For more information on tax-related issues, please visit BBB.
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