I would select ZERO stars if that were an option.
I hired Mr. Hansson to do my 2012 income tax returns. I provided him with all the documents he requested, including copies of the 2011 tax returns, and he filed both the IRS and CA returns electronically. Later that day, in looking at the copies he gave me, I found that he had neglected to include a significant deductible expense. This error would have caused me a combined overpayment of nearly $4,800. I called him immediately and he promptly prepared amended returns. These, he told me, could not be filed electronically--that I must pick them up and mail them. Postage to mail the two packets cost me $15.12 plus the hassle/time of waiting in the long line at the post office. With the amended returns, I sent checks for the taxes owed as shown and as instructed by Hansson.
Mr. Hansson had initially quoted me $450 to do my taxes. The bill he presented was $680. When asked, he explained the difference as a $250 "processing fee" which had not been mentioned originally.
Unfortunately, this is not the end of the damage caused me by Mr. Hansson's incompetence. The IRS processed the 1040X amended return July 1, but the CA Franchise Tax Board has still not processed the 540X amended return. I continue to receive Income Tax Due Notices that include penalties and interest, now totaling $1,581.32. Though I paid all taxes owed on April 10, 2013, the story is not over! They say that they have until October 4, 2013 (6 months from when the original return was filed) to process the amended return and demand that I pay that amount or risk a state tax lien against my property. Though it is not Hansson's fault that the CA Franchise Tax Board is so slow dealing with amended returns, none of this should be happening! Amended returns would not have been necessary IF THE RETURNS HAD BEEN DONE PROPERLY in the first place.
One hires a CPA to prepare income tax returns because they are too complicated and/or confusing to do oneself. BEWARE of Lars Hansson, CPA. He seems a pleasantly mild-mannered fellow, but I prefer competent to soft-spoken when it comes to paying a professional for his services. read more
