Professional Tax & Accounting

"I went to Pro Tax on a friend's recommendation. Their page lists an average cost of $150 for tax services, which seemed reasonable. I had no major transactions this year, except being the beneficiary of life insurance. Other than that it was my usual load that HR Block processes for $56, but heck I wanted to get the beneficiary stuff right so I went with a professional provider in my neighborhood to make sure things were done right. I spoke with Matt, dropped my stuff off, and when I asked about how much he would want to charge me he told me "well it depends on the forms we have to file", which I guess is a fair response. I asked him how much he thought we would owe given the numbers threw at him and he said he didn't feel comfortable spitting out estimates -- also fair. So I left my documents with him and went about my business. A week and a half later I hear back from him, $1500 bill. It seemed steep given how much I had already paid in taxes, but that's the government for you; it's certainly not Matt's fault. Then I got hit with the bill -- $220! Holy cow! This was way too high, the staff there apologized for the confusion, and, to their credit, said if we wanted to come get our stuff it was no big deal. Well, I didn't really have time to spend weeks shopping around my return for the best rate, and besides surely at this rate I was getting the best. I went in, signed for my packet and asked them if they would be processing the payment for the money I owe today or later. They told me I would have to process my own payment, then recommended a site which charges a low low low 1.87% "convenience fee". Okay, look. I get I paid for a professional provider, I get that I am in a spot lucky enough where this is even an issue, but the fact that I'm paying for these great providers I would expect great service. Here's what it comes down to: > No estimate up front, even though they charge by the form and by knowing what my income was it seems it would be easy to ball park the forms and thus the fees. > Made me process my own payment from a third party, which charged me for it. Hell just process it yourself and charge me the "convenience fee". > No DocuSign, I had to go in and sign all of this paperwork. It seems like a very average company, doing a very average job, and maybe charging a bit too much for it. Everyone there was nice and polite, and I have no reason to believe they screwed anything up, but for this price I expected better than HR Block or Liberty Tax. PS. Here's the fee structure I was quoted for personal income tax filing jointly: Form 1040 – 150.00 Schedule B – 5.00 Child and Dependent Care Expenses – 25.00 W-2’s – 5.00 each, you had 2 1099-R – 5.00 AZ Tax Return – 25.00"

"I have never met a more thorough and professional group. They have saved us thousands in taxes while keeping us within all of the tax laws and away from audits."