It would be unfair to rate this company absent of context; so, I'll briefly share my situation and you can decide whether this service is right for you. If you're in a hurry and don't care to read, here's my final assessment:
1 -- If you're an established business (for example: you already own a business or have been in business for some time) then ***AVOID*** this service. I highly doubt you need them. You'll be better off using your local tax-service provider or accountant.
2 -- If, however, you're just starting a business (for example: you literally just started one last week) then ***use this company at your own risk***.
3 - If you're just looking to do your Personal Taxes, I see no value in using them. You're better off using Jackson Hewitt, H&R Block, Turbo Tax, etc.
I was referred to this company by an online incorporation service after incorporating a new business. At the time they (Eco-Tax) were offering a free consultation; and I decided to take them up on it as I was literally looking for a new accounting service that would allow me to manage things digitally.
Now, I've run a business for many years and have started Sole-Proprietorships, S-Corps, and even a C-Corp. So, I'm a bit familiar with the nuances and complexities of filing taxes via 3rd parties for such entities. So, when I first got on a call with them, I honestly liked what I heard. In short, in addition to prepping and filing your taxes, they offer help with pursuing the best tax-saving strategies; are available for advise/consulting; and even provide other value-added services like bookkeeping.
So, what happened?
They dropped the ball (ie: they screwed up).
In fact, they screwed up on several levels. And I take that seriously.
To start, my taxes were not prepared by a Senior accountant as I understood would be the case when I first spoke with their sales agent prior to subscribing to their service. When I read or hear "Senior" - that means experience. Turns out my taxes were prepped by someone else; which would have been ok - except that the final paperwork showed a substantial liability. RED FLAG.
As I've never had a substantial liability before, I was a bit confused. So, I contacted them and set up a call with my designated tax agent. On the day of our call - he didn't make it. RED FLAG.
Now, he did eventually call me back - late (and another RED FLAG) - and we did speak. But he seemed completely unfamiliar with my business.
Which brings me to the next level screw up: Poor communication.
Their own documentation reads that they'd contact you to address your questions and/or concerns once they prepared your taxes. This never happened. RED FLAG... again.
Incidentally, this - in and of itself - would have prevented many issues because at its core, having good communication would have cleared up lots of things.
But the proverbial "last straw that broke the camel's back" was when I asked about my Personal Tax returns.
When I signed up for their service it was to do both my Personal AND Business taxes. In fact, part of the reason I signed up in the first place was that I wanted to file my taxes early. Business taxes must be filed in Mid March; and Personal ones in Mid April; but I wanted to file them both as early as possible.
After I contacted them about the liability issue with the business taxes, I asked about the progress of my personal ones.
To my dismay, they weren't done. They weren't even aware that I had uploaded all the pertinent paperwork.
In the end, I wound up paying over $800 for a less-than-mediocre service.
Of course, I brought all this to the attention of their Customer Service and Billing department and asked for a partial refund as appropriate. Again, I paid them to do both my Business AND Personal Taxes.
I was told by the customer service rep that since they did the paperwork for my business taxes - I didn't qualify for a refund.
I at least expected a 50% Refund because they only provided half the services - even though the half they did provide was less than mediocre.
To date, no refunds have been issued.
So, no... NOT RECOMMENDED IN ANY WAY.
And for those that are curious as to why I gave 1 Star and not less...
it's because I can't give less. Besides, their Customer Service department personnel are actually nice people.
Unfortunately, their customer service department are not the ones providing the tax services. read more