Yay for taxes! Said nobody ever! lol It's that time of the year, so I went back to my tax guy, Victor Braun, in San Mateo. I've been coming to this location for the last 7 years now, and while my taxes are generally pretty straight forward, I think paying for the piece of mind that it's done right is well worth the $179 I spent. This year, I was able to share my tax documents via the online portal, and Victor was able to process all my taxes remotely. After my scheduled appointment time, my taxes were ready to go in less than 24 hours. I submitted my payment online, and they were filed. I was able to get my refunds back in less than 2 weeks, which was much appreciated. Definitely will be back next year to visit Victor to have him take care of my taxes. read more

I needed to expedite my business taxes and was able to set up a next day appointment to meet with an advisor. The advisor put me in touch with James Settle who was amazing to work with as a tax expert. Every time I try to communicate, James either answered the phone or called me right back. James was great with both email and phone communication. I had an urgent need to get my taxes processed and James answered the call with flying colors. Working with James was a slam dunk and he comes highly recommended from my point of you. I'm typically pretty critical about Customer Care and I couldn't ask for anything more. He got it done right and more promptly than I expected. read more

NO. NO. NO!! Worst experience ever. I will NEVER use H&R Block again. Kim filed my return with incorrect information, even though I asked her multiple times to check the numbers. I ended up overpaying the Fed by $1600. Kim had to file an amended return, which was covered by HRB. However, Kim admitted the state return was also incorrect, but she failed to file an amended return with the state, so I guess I'll be paying for that when I file my 2023 return. Additionally, although HRB guarantees they will refund the cost of filing if there is an error, they refuse to in this case. To reiterate: They filed the taxes incorrectly, filed and amended return, and then told me they that the filing was correct so they won't reimburse me. Jeannie, the manager was ZERO help. Do yourself a favor and do not use this group. read more

Kim was incredibly understanding and was on it right away. Got my backed up years done in days with all returns. Thanks Kim!

BEWARE!!! I filed my tax returns with them this year and they messed up my address and routing number. They entered my old address and wrote wrote the wrong wiring information on my retuns which is why I STILL havent received my refund. The CPA who prepared my return came back with the last "signature page" for me to sign. She did not even let me review the tax retuns filing submitting them. The craziest part, Deina, the "manager" would not accept their mistake. I had to write to the customer service of the main H&R Block company to get my refund for the "tax filing fee." DO NOT FILE YOUR TAXES THROUGH THEM IF YOU EVER WANT YOUR TAX REFUND BACK. read more

I've been coming here since this was a regular H&R Block. I started with Myra (best ever) and then, after Myra retired, have been very happy with Ed Yao. Because of Ed, I have continued coming here even though they transitioned to Block Advisors a few years back, and subsequently raised their prices for the preparation of taxes. Ed had to take a leave this year, so I dealt with someone else. Overall, they do good work, are thoughtful and caring, give good advice, explain what they do, and are thorough. So if you have taxes with what might be considered difficult circumstances, you might need the services of Block Advisors. If you know them, have worked with them in the past, and trust them, you can drop off your tax documents so the tax preparer can work in them in their spare time. This can be a great convenience, because I don't have to sit there during the time it would take to input all the info. So you just make an appointment to return, where you might just have to answer some of the questions the preparer might have, or something like provide any new, forgotten, or missing information, etc. It costs the same since you don't pay by the hour, it's something like you pay for the types of forms needed to prepare your taxes (the more difficult the tax situation, the more types of forms you need). It's happened where my appointment with Ed lasted 15 minutes and I just basically signed the tax forms, chit-chat for awhile, paid, and was on my way. All that being said, I probably won't be coming back again next year unless Ed returns. I didn't mind paying the elevated prices, cuz it was a comfort level thing and the good working rapport I had with Ed. Next year, if I have to deal with someone new, then I might as well have my taxes prepared at a regular H&R Block office and pay regular rates for tax preparation. read more

Victor is very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. He made filing my taxes easy in the past. Also answered my emails quickly and provided solutions. I definitely recommend Victor for excellent tax advise. I moved away from the area and still will reach out to him for reassurance. Highly recommend! read more

I've been going to H&R for many years and each year there's always an issue with the filing. I had my suspicions and had to bring my tax return evaluated and H&R made a major mistake that they are not taking accountability. I trusted them and realize they have taken advantage of my limited knowledge of tax process and such. They have been dishonest overall! Worst customer service, unfriendly, and will not listen to your concerns. read more

I had a simple tax return that I could've done myself on TurboTax. I wanted to test out going to professionals. The man who was filing it for me was soooooo sloooooowwww!!! I felt like telling him to give me his keyboard and let me do it! 10 min into it, I realized it is exactly the same as TurboTax and couldn't believe how long it was taking. I was just going to deal with it and pay the fee. Then he told me the service fee was over $200!!!! EXCUSE ME?! I asked for a breakdown of the fees because I could've done the same exact thing myself. He explained but it made no sense to me. I told him I could/would not pay that much and he basically told me I could leave. So I did, went home and filed on Turbo Tax and had the same exact outcome with my return and paid less than $100. read more

Worst customer service ever ! Made a over phone appoint for 12pm for drop off personal tax document and to speak with accounts. Confirmed to make sure they have appointment in their system. Come at 12pm no one is at receptionist waited for 20min wait, no one came. What place doesn't have receptionist or for someone to check in to see if anyone is waiting in waiting area. Called later to complain and they said they have no record of my appointment. Then they said maybe it's their other brank on 41st Ave. They checked their system. They said no record of appointment . If you can't even keep a simple appointment for drop off document and to speak with accountant what's the point and doing buisness with them. I recommend to do it online on Tubor tax. read more

INESSA Auerbuch, was my tax consultant for the last 3 tax pay seasons. She did my tax return process easy and 100%accurate. I did have tax consultants in the past providing me false information, making me & my family pay over $3000.00 & &50.00 extra on tax fee because tax people DID NOT KNOW certain laws an about federal poverty line etc.... IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE EXPERT when you go through tax return process. & INESSA is an expert! She speaks few languages and now she is An Master Tax Advisor. Which is important when it comes to experience and knowledge. My Master Tax Advisor (now I can say my going 3rd year in a row) is a very interesting person to talk while you are sitting in a chair waiting for process being done. My 25 min flew like it was 5 minutes. In a term of refund it was pretty efficient too. In 9 day I got my refund back :-) Can`t be more satisfied than I was with professional help of INESSA AUERBUCH @ H&R Block on 17 South B Street. Thank you! read more

Dana was so helpful and friendly! I spoke with her over the phone. She was patient with all my questions and talked me through the entire process. I would definitely recommend her to anyone needing support with their taxes. Looking forward to seeing her next tax season! read more

I had the pleasure of working with Christopher Parker. He was very cordial and professional and made the process painless. He was very thorough and I appreciate that he was more efficient and less expensive than other firms, Highly recommend read more

Ai Shi was a godsend. Sweet and patient over my tax situation. I would see here again in a heartbeat. The receptionist was a little rude however by giving me a "better" agents card. read more

Farrell Suslow screwed up my tax return and refused to take several routine deductions that every competent CPA that does individual tax returns as well as standard textbooks on this subject published by McGraw-Hill agree are ok deductions to take. He is really shady AND incompetent in my opinion. it isn't my fault that he probably can't pass the CPA exam, even with way more than acceptable resources. I wonder what else he can be AWFUL at and screw up!! Then manager Frank Brito, won't fix this in any way. It isn't my fault he can't get a job as a phlebotomist AND also probably can't pass the CPA exam, even with way more than acceptable resources. Avoid, avoid avoid!!! read more

I called to make an appointment ahead of time and when I get there the receptionist asks for my information so she can find me on the appointment schedule. After recognizing that she spoke to me earlier on the phone for a 5:00 PM appointment she could not find me in the system. The receptionist apologized several times saying she remembers talking to me on the phone but still failed to schedule me in. Then the tax consultant I was supposed to see comes out and takes me into her office. The tax consultant then proceeds to tell me she can "cram" me into her schedule because the other client that took my appointment hadn't shown up... pretty ridiculous customer service if you ask me. Then she tells me I have to pay $400 for her to file my taxes because she would apply her expertise to maximize my deductions... Complete rip off, the entire process felt rushed and this is my first time filing my taxes. Seriously? After all that horrible service you're still going to overcharge me? I left with my $400 in my wallet and went elsewhere to file my taxes at a cheaper price. read more

Ai Shih did my return and all three years were incorrect. I ended up getting an IRS notice for the errors in the return because my rental property was put On the wrong form. I had to pay another firm to have it amended. I ended up getting a refund after it was fixed. read more

I don't know why this place isn't rated better. My taxes were done quick and all I had to pay was $85! I will highly tell all my friends about them, they offer free coffee and water! read more

For some reason I needed to get an amendment tax return this year after using their tax service earlie. Kim was the person who helped me out on that during the off season. She is so helpful, professional and efficient!! She got the work done almost immediately and the amended return was such a hassle-free process for me. read more

if you are thinking of going to this H&R Block, ask for Ai Shih (pronounced eye-shee). She did my taxes this year and last year with no problem. I got my return within a week. Ai Shih is very professional and last year when I had to deal with a foreclosure..she explained everything to me in great detail. I also had my first baby and she was able to help me decide on how to claim him and so forth. Definitely going to Ai Shih and this branch again. read more

Have been going to this office for my tax return preparation for about 3 or 4 years. Finally I have had enough. Their customer service is poor and the "office manager" doesn't care enough to return calls or email. Their central office is no better. And brace yourself if you want a price before they do the work. They can hardly manage to even understand the request. There are a number of other tax prep service providers downtown and nearby. Suggest you use them. read more

Worst mistake of our lives going here. Actually it might not be the place but the person. Do not let Insook Kimmy be your advisor! She does not know what she is doing. We went to her last year and we were close to owing so we asked her what we should do to make sure we don't owe this year. We did exactly what she advised and now this year we owe $7000! Exactly what we didn't want to happen. Save yourself the problems and go to some one else. She is the worst!!!!! read more

Thank you to H&R Block on B Street, which is where I should have gotten my 2015 taxes done in the first place, instead of the dreadful organization with the very dubious top rating for San Mateo taxes in Yelp. Thank you specifically to Kimmy Susan Kim, who helped yesterday me with a tax notice from the Franchise Tax Board, for no charge. I've written the letter she recommended and am grateful for her service. I also like the ease of setting up an appointment, online. read more

Shout out to my very first tax advisor, Pablo Jaime, who I was very fortunate to work with for my first attempt at filing my own taxes (I'm a baby, I know). The tax system is confusing as all hell, and so I went in armed with a mess of documents and complete ignorance about basically EVERYTHING. Pablo was warm and kind from the very start and helped make it an efficient process. But then he didn't stop there. After seeing the extremely low tax return I was projecting to receive, he taught me about how 401(k)s work and encouraged me to open on with my employer ASAP. That way, it counts as a deduction and I get less tax, more return! I left there feeling much more educated about tax, as well as determined to open a 401(k) tomorrow. I really recommend that people meet with Pablo during tax season. His great personality and easygoing nature and patience really helped my first time at H&R Block a positive experience. read more

My wife and I have been seeing Larry Wayne for several years, and he's a great person to work with. He takes his time and always tries to figure out if there are ways he can save you money on your taxes. We look forward to seeing Larry and catching up with him each year. We probably spend the first 30 minutes each year just shooting the breeze as he is a delight to be around. The staff in general always seem friendly, but specifically, I highly recommend Larry! read more

Not specific to this office, but trying to get H&R Block to return a phone call is impossible. The name I was give was Sonja Tomarus (sp) and she flat does not return her voice mail calls. Calling the service answering phones is not even able to track her or a boss down to call. This is like fishing trying to get anything from them. This lack of customer service must indicate the work they perform, which I wouldn't trust for one New York minute. read more

Disappointed with their tax software. So lame, Cannot get online help. Waited over 30 minute to chat, no one came on. You guys should leave tax software to software experts. You obviously have not mastered it. I hope it isn't the same software in their tax shops. You will never get your taxes finished. read more