Applegate & Associates 115 South Chester Pike, Glenolden, PA 19036

"I met in person with Charlie on 3/22/23. He did not complete my tax documents at that time, he stated he wanted to do more with it and "would work on it over the weekend". I had no communication from him the entire following week. I called to follow up on Friday 3/31 and was told by the receptionist that Charlie was still working on my documents and "would work on it over the weekend." I asked if I could be assured of getting a phone call that my tax documents had been finalized on the following Monday and I was assured this would happen. The entire day passed on Monday 4/3 and I did not receive any communication from Charlie. I called the office at 7:33pm and another tax professional named Tom answered the phone. Tom was able to find my tax documents and noted that it did not appear any work had been done on it. Tom and I spoke at length and I asked to call him later in the week with additional information. I called back on 4/7 and provided the additional information to the receptionist who said she would pass it on to Tom. I called back on 4/14 as I had heard nothing from Tom. He was able to complete my tax documents at that time but stated that he did not know how to take payment. I also asked Tom if he would be willing to take a look at my tax documents for 2020 and 2021 to see if anything could be adjusted that might increase the refund. Tom stated that he could do that. He advised that any amendment to 2020 tax forms was due by 4/18/23 (3 year deadline) so he would work on those first. I emailed Tom my tax documents for 2020 and 2021. On 4/15 I called to pay my bill and was advised the receptionist had printed the 2020/2021 documents for Tom. I never heard from Tom after this and was advised when I called on 4/19 that Tom only works there during tax season and he was done for the year. I was told that "Tom's mom" would try to find something out. I called again on 4/20, 4/24, 5/1, and was told Tom's mom was supposed to be working on it. Still have no answer."

"Extremely frustrated with Applegate Associates; namely Charles Applegate, who hasn’t returned a single call. I was referred to Applegate by a friend. Since 2020 was such a strange year and my husband’s and my income & joint return was a little more complicated than normal, I really wanted to have a tax pro handle our return to ensure it was done correctly. They gave me a very fair price ($125 for Federal, PA, AND NJ state return) which I paid on the spot, so despite the heavy odor of cigarettes, the dogs on the desk, and disheveled appearance, I left feeling confident that I had made the right choice in filing through them. That was on April 29th. Weeks went by and I kept checking the IRS “Where’s my Refund” tool but couldn’t get an update on the status of the refund. Some piece of information wasn’t correct. I tried to reach the office but couldn’t get through, over & over. Finally, while reviewing the paper documents from the return, I found it! - Charles had submitted our return with someone else’s SS# listed instead of my husbands. It wasn’t a typo, it was a completely different number. There were other discrepancies also: He didn’t seem sure of my maiden name vs. my married name, our correct address, etc. I called daily and left messages for WEEKS before finally reaching a lady who works alongside Charles. I believe her name was Linda. Very friendly and ultimately helpful, as she was able to confirm the mistake had been corrected at some point. Not sure when the correction was made, since Charles didn’t find it worthy of calling me back, and she couldn’t find a client name to go with the SS# that was incorrectly used on our forms, so good luck to that individual. It is now Sept 15th. We still have no idea when we will receive our Federal return, which is a significant amount. The IRS’ “Where’s my Refund” tool says it could be 16 weeks to process an amended return, but 16 weeks from what date? I have no clue when it was corrected and refiled OR how it was sent. I expected direct deposit for my NJ state return, but it came by paper check. We never received an e-notification that the IRS has received anything. I called Applegate & Assoc. again today and no answer. I think it’s time to retire, Charles. You clearly have no concern or regard for how you handle other people’s money."

"Due to TRUSTING this local business to take the information I provided (Income and Expenses) in detail by IRS categories, I have lost $7,750. When leaving the return, I never imagined that I would call and go to office for over 18 months, to be denied the refund DUE TO UNTIMELY RECEIPT BY THE IRS. Trusting their word that you can file at anytime as long as your are entitled a refund, was mistake number ONE. ON TOP PF THAT, there was a slight chance that had the return been prepared listing no dependants (as noted on that yearly income & expense spreadsheet), and had I been able to file the day they finally handed me the return, the IRS was likely going to issue the refund. However, thankfully I reviewed the return and found that after having it for over a year, the return was prepared incorrectly and caused just another delay in filing. Ignoring my pleas and begging to get the information ASAP appeared to make things worse, as time went on. Yes I am in the process of retaining council to petition for damages. ON TOP OF THAT THEY BILLED ME $150. NOT EVEN AN APOLOGY WAS SPOKEN FROM EITHER OF THEM, SITTING IN A MESS OF UNORGANIZED FILES AND PINK CALL SLIPS, THOSE SLIPS I CAN ONLY ASSUME WERE NOT READ BUT DISCARDED. LIKE THE DOZENS OF MESSAGES I LEFT.. Probably not the only tax payer to have such a disaster filing 1 years return...."

"They still have not filed my state taxes I paid them they cashed it and it is now 8 months later and no return has been filed. I've called numerous times no one ever calls me back. I will not use them again and I will tell all my friends and family not to use them. UPDATE...I am filing an IRS Fraud report on this tax service. They never filed my state or federal tax. UPDATE!!! 9/18. Not only did they screw up my state and federal taxes but I just got a notice about local taxes from 2014 and 2015 that they never filed and I have to pay $500. I hope you sleep well at night Charlie I am so upset with you"

"If you value your time don't bother with this place. I dropped my taxes off first week of March and it is almost July. I have never till this day received not one phone about the progress or status of my taxes. The only time I have communicated with them since dropping off my taxes has been three phone calls I made to them which were replied by saying they will be ready in a week. After all this I went there personally to retrieve my W-2s and spoke to owner himself he promised to call me back that was over 3 weeks ago."