I dislike writing negative reviews, but in order to save others the frustration and money we have wasted due to this accountant's incompetence is infuriating.
Paul took over from our old accountant, as he bought them out. We went with him initially as we were not happy with the impersonal treatment we had received in the past. We decided to try him as our accountant. He filed our 2020 taxes, no problem. Hence retaining his services the next year.
Then 2021 taxes were filed, and WOW, did he screw up! We ended up paying several thousand dollars in penalties to the IRS due to his mistakes, because he couldn't understand tax codes or something!!!! We were angry, and he kept avoiding our phone calls asking him to explain wtf happened. He had some woman intercepting his calls and making excuses for him. We bought a house that year, lucked out selling RSUs, have rentals, and I freelance. I'm only referencing this because he assured us he specialised in doing higher net taxes. Our taxes are kind of straightforward - it shouldn't be that complicated. I can't believe we paid money for someone to screw up so badly. He apologised, mentioned new tax laws that confused him, etc. Humans make mistakes- however he sure wasn't trying to come out of his pocket to refund us any of the money we lost from his screw-up. I tried to give grace, and let go of my anger. I was ready to report his incompetence to whatever board certified CPAs, but did not have the energy or much interest after he finally confessed and apologised for his mistake.
After several half-hearted failed attempts to find another CPA(we don't have friends to ask, I guess), when he reached out in February and asked if we were hiring him to file our 2022 taxes. We are some dumbasses, because we agreed to let him have another chance. California had a built in extension this year, which he casually informed us about when we asked around tax due time about filing. No problem. However this year, money looked different, as we bought another property, became licensed for foster care, and we are looking at a tax refund for the first time. He was fairly communicative and replied to phone calls and emails. He said he finished the taxes first week of June, so we sign the electronic submission papers and pay his nearly $1500 fee.
It's the end of the month, and I was wondering where our refund was. I log onto the IRS website today, search for Where's My Refund?- and lo and behold- no record of filing. Turns out- Paul neglected to electronically submit our taxes. Who knows what kind of penalties we are going to be charged with?!?! I called him, left messages, emails- radio silence. The answering service said they could not connect with him. I have yet to talk to him, and I'm angry and don't know what our options are, or what course of action we should take.
Please, please, please spare yourself the frustration and anger and find another accountant. He has some serious work related issues, and should not be in a business that is time dependent and deals with folks money. read more