In 2014 my tax preparer decided to retire and after tax season sold his business. He assured we would be in good hands with the transition to Mattie Johnson at Johnson & Associates. As such, I agreed to be one of his clients to move to the new business.
An assistant with Ms. Johnson contacted me by phone in January indicating I could email my documents and they would prepare my taxes and contact me to pick up, sign, and pay for prep fee. This was great for me.
I emailed my documents on 2/20/2015. On 3/2 I reached out asking for status by phone and email with no response. I emailed again later that week. Again, no response.
I called again on 3/10 to see about an appointment to complete my taxes as my daughter needs to complete the FAFSA. I advised the assistant Joyce that I had an email from Ms. Johnson seeking additional information. I advised I did not have the information needed but had other information to be used but needed to know what specific numbers Ms. Johnson needed. I was asked at that time to proceed with the numbers. I again asked which numbers. Joyce was going to have Ms. Johnson call me back which she didn't.
I called again later the same day 3/10 to find out what was needed from my documents. Ms. Johnson got on the line and talked to me in a demeanor suggesting I was stupid. I stopped her and asked her not to speak to me in that tone as I was not stupid, I was merely seeking the info she required so I could get it to her. She excused her behavior as stress. I sympathized, advising I knew it was a stressful season for her; however, she didn't need to be disrespectful by talking to me in such a manner. I thought we resolved the issue here as she advised what she was looking for and I emailed it over.
While I was drafting my email she put me back to her asst Joyce who proceeded to set me an appt. At that time I inquired about the cost for tax prep and was advised $35 for my daughter and $155 for me. I questioned the sharp increase because I had assurances from my previous tax preparer that my tax fees would only go up 15%. I advised Joyce that I paid $135 total for my tax prep AND my daughter's tax prep, thus $190 new total was well over the 15% increase even Joyce indicated was to be charged. She told me I had to take it up with Ms. Johnson.
Ms. Johnson sent me an email this morning that she does not negotiate her prices (I wasn't asking for a negotiation, I was asking for clarification) and she does not argue fees with clients (again, not arguing, just asking for clarification of the 15% vs 50+% increase in charge). She ended with "have a good life."
Extremely unprofessional. While some may like her well enough, this is not a business I would recommend to anyone because of this encounter. It is unfortunate because I did trust my previous tax preparer's decision to send me to her for future tax prep.
I should have went ahead and found someone else when she wasn't returning calls or emails for status updates; however, I did try to give the benefit of the doubt. Never again. Go with your gut and if your gut says walk away, do so. read more