Be Careful when using AARP Free Tax Service in The Villages

[shully13]

The Free $3000 AARP Tax Preparation Story

Let me tell you a story about what is supposed to be free isn�t always free. One day, my wife and I went to the AARP free tax preparation service in The Villages to complete our taxes, and were greeted by very polite and helpful staff. They sat us down and we preceded to layout our tax information. We had the normal federal tax withholdings and a few deductions. The preparer entered the information which I might add took 3 hours. The preparer was very nice and said the site was having computer problems. I started to hyperventilate after 1 hour on how slowly things were progressing along.
We were again seated in another area to wait for a second person to go over our 1040 form. The person who is assigned the task to look over the newly done return to ensure it is correct. We were told at this time that we owed $3000. �BUT�, there were deductions missing from our return that we were entitled too. We were informed to go home and locate the documents and then come back to finish the return. Nothing was signed by neither party, nor was our return papers completed. It was supposed to be kept �On Hold�.
Thinking about how our return was handled and the sense that something was wrong; we decided to mail all our documents to our old tax preparer that we have used for over thirty years. She received the documents and prepared our 1040 tax form with all the deductions to the amount of now owing the IRS only $1300. There were errors found in the AARP return. Our return was filed electronically, only to bounce back stating �OUR RETURN HAS ALREADY BEEN FILED�. The IRS sent a message to our tax preparer that we were dealing with the possibility of identity theft, and to please call the IRS immediately.
Now in a panic over the possibility of identity theft, we called the IRS. After an hour and half on the phone, we discovered that AARP PROCESSED our tax return and sent it through. How did they do this without our approval, our signatures or finishing the return? Immediately we went to the AARP tax preparer here in The Villages with this information. They looked it over and stated �We�re sorry, it shouldn�t have been filed�. REALLY?! There wasn�t anything to be done with this blunder. So we called our tax preparer and she completed a 1040X after hearing what happened. But the story doesn�t end here. As we were preparing to sign and date our 1040X forms and mail our check of $1300 to the IRS to fix this MESS, when a $3000 debit was withdrawn out of our checking account by the IRS without our permission. How did this happen. Well let me tell you. Not only wasn�t the debit done on April 15th as is the norm, it was deducted March 2nd. It only gets worse. Were now back on the phone to the IRS for over an hour to determine what happen, and getting more aggravated by the minute. Good thing we had enough money to cover the debit without an overdraft. Oh, by the way, the head representative of the AARP service told us that they won�t pay for any mistakes; �It�s Free�.
Once more we have to humbly call my tax preparer to do another 1040X. This time I get a refund. Wow a refund of my own money and we have to wait to receive it. Who knows how long? So the moral of the story is, you pay for what you get! NOTHING IS EVER FREE!
:Screen_of_Death:

[lanabanana73]

That sounds absolutely awful! Hugs to you.

[Bogie Shooter]

Part time tax preparers............

[villagetinker]

I would have serious discussion with AARP, possibly hinting at litigation. At a minimum there should be a detailed explanation of how this happened. It sounds like the tax preparer was on the IRS electronic system, and did not actually place the return on HOLD.
Also, I do not give out make bank account info, unless I am getting refund, the taxes get paid by me with my check, this is not an item to be discussed.

Thank you very much for the heads up on this.

[RickeyD]

The Free $3000 AARP Tax Preparation Story



Let me tell you a story about what is supposed to be free isn�t always free. One day, my wife and I went to the AARP free tax preparation service in The Villages to complete our taxes, and were greeted by very polite and helpful staff. They sat us down and we preceded to layout our tax information. We had the normal federal tax withholdings and a few deductions. The preparer entered the information which I might add took 3 hours. The preparer was very nice and said the site was having computer problems. I started to hyperventilate after 1 hour on how slowly things were progressing along.

We were again seated in another area to wait for a second person to go over our 1040 form. The person who is assigned the task to look over the newly done return to ensure it is correct. We were told at this time that we owed $3000. �BUT�, there were deductions missing from our return that we were entitled too. We were informed to go home and locate the documents and then come back to finish the return. Nothing was signed by neither party, nor was our return papers completed. It was supposed to be kept �On Hold�.

Thinking about how our return was handled and the sense that something was wrong; we decided to mail all our documents to our old tax preparer that we have used for over thirty years. She received the documents and prepared our 1040 tax form with all the deductions to the amount of now owing the IRS only $1300. There were errors found in the AARP return. Our return was filed electronically, only to bounce back stating �OUR RETURN HAS ALREADY BEEN FILED�. The IRS sent a message to our tax preparer that we were dealing with the possibility of identity theft, and to please call the IRS immediately.

Now in a panic over the possibility of identity theft, we called the IRS. After an hour and half on the phone, we discovered that AARP PROCESSED our tax return and sent it through. How did they do this without our approval, our signatures or finishing the return? Immediately we went to the AARP tax preparer here in The Villages with this information. They looked it over and stated �We�re sorry, it shouldn�t have been filed�. REALLY?! There wasn�t anything to be done with this blunder. So we called our tax preparer and she completed a 1040X after hearing what happened. But the story doesn�t end here. As we were preparing to sign and date our 1040X forms and mail our check of $1300 to the IRS to fix this MESS, when a $3000 debit was withdrawn out of our checking account by the IRS without our permission. How did this happen. Well let me tell you. Not only wasn�t the debit done on April 15th as is the norm, it was deducted March 2nd. It only gets worse. Were now back on the phone to the IRS for over an hour to determine what happen, and getting more aggravated by the minute. Good thing we had enough money to cover the debit without an overdraft. Oh, by the way, the head representative of the AARP service told us that they won�t pay for any mistakes; �It�s Free�.

Once more we have to humbly call my tax preparer to do another 1040X. This time I get a refund. Wow a refund of my own money and we have to wait to receive it. Who knows how long? So the moral of the story is, you pay for what you get! NOTHING IS EVER FREE!

:Screen_of_Death:


Ok, time to stop freaking out. Simply file an amended 1040X form. Now you will get what you're entitled to.

[rdhdleo]

I have my own story that scared the you know what out of us. We went to them many years ago months later we got a letter from the IRS stating we owed them $30,000!!! And as of a certain date penalties would start accruing! Yes you read that right! I nearly had a heart attack. We had looked everything over beforehand but did not realize they did not file one form for an IRA account my husband had moved to something else hence it was calculated by the IRS as income! We fund a GREAT accountant (upon recommendation from a friend) and she within a couple of days cleared it up and filed the proper papers at that time it cost $175 and was worth every penny. She called the IRS directly and spoke with them with us in the office. She said she couldn't even tell me how many horror stories she had of people that had issues because of the FREE AARP service. We've been with her ever since!

[sunnyatlast]

With AARP's revenues as a "non-profit" organization, one would think they could afford to pay for CPA's and other licensed tax preparers to assist their members:

"According to AARP's 2008 Consolidated financials, it was paid $652,000,000 in royalties from insurance companies that sold products referred by AARP.

AARP also received an additional $120,000,000 for the advertisements placed in its publications�.."

AARP - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AARP)


..

[Loudoll]

The Free $3000 AARP Tax Preparation Story

Let me tell you a story about what is supposed to be free isn�t always free. One day, my wife and I went to the AARP free tax preparation service in The Villages to complete our taxes, and were greeted by very polite and helpful staff. They sat us down and we preceded to layout our tax information. We had the normal federal tax withholdings and a few deductions. The preparer entered the information which I might add took 3 hours. The preparer was very nice and said the site was having computer problems. I started to hyperventilate after 1 hour on how slowly things were progressing along.
We were again seated in another area to wait for a second person to go over our 1040 form. The person who is assigned the task to look over the newly done return to ensure it is correct. We were told at this time that we owed $3000. �BUT�, there were deductions missing from our return that we were entitled too. We were informed to go home and locate the documents and then come back to finish the return. Nothing was signed by neither party, nor was our return papers completed. It was supposed to be kept �On Hold�.
Thinking about how our return was handled and the sense that something was wrong; we decided to mail all our documents to our old tax preparer that we have used for over thirty years. She received the documents and prepared our 1040 tax form with all the deductions to the amount of now owing the IRS only $1300. There were errors found in the AARP return. Our return was filed electronically, only to bounce back stating �OUR RETURN HAS ALREADY BEEN FILED�. The IRS sent a message to our tax preparer that we were dealing with the possibility of identity theft, and to please call the IRS immediately.
Now in a panic over the possibility of identity theft, we called the IRS. After an hour and half on the phone, we discovered that AARP PROCESSED our tax return and sent it through. How did they do this without our approval, our signatures or finishing the return? Immediately we went to the AARP tax preparer here in The Villages with this information. They looked it over and stated �We�re sorry, it shouldn�t have been filed�. REALLY?! There wasn�t anything to be done with this blunder. So we called our tax preparer and she completed a 1040X after hearing what happened. But the story doesn�t end here. As we were preparing to sign and date our 1040X forms and mail our check of $1300 to the IRS to fix this MESS, when a $3000 debit was withdrawn out of our checking account by the IRS without our permission. How did this happen. Well let me tell you. Not only wasn�t the debit done on April 15th as is the norm, it was deducted March 2nd. It only gets worse. Were now back on the phone to the IRS for over an hour to determine what happen, and getting more aggravated by the minute. Good thing we had enough money to cover the debit without an overdraft. Oh, by the way, the head representative of the AARP service told us that they won�t pay for any mistakes; �It�s Free�.
Once more we have to humbly call my tax preparer to do another 1040X. This time I get a refund. Wow a refund of my own money and we have to wait to receive it. Who knows how long? So the moral of the story is, you pay for what you get! NOTHING IS EVER FREE!
:Screen_of_Death:
What a horror story. Thanks for warning everyone about what can go wrong. That is unbelievably scary.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Free is not always Free nor a good idea. I am sure you will get things corrected but probably not for free. Good luck I hope you get things worked out.

[Loudoll]

I would have serious discussion with AARP, possibly hinting at litigation. At a minimum there should be a detailed explanation of how this happened. It sounds like the tax preparer was on the IRS electronic system, and did not actually place the return on HOLD.
Also, I do not give out make bank account info, unless I am getting refund, the taxes get paid by me with my check, this is not an item to be discussed.

Thank you very much for the heads up on this.
Brilliant. Never give account numbers unless you are due a refund, if you owe the IRS - send a check.

[manaboutown]

There is no free lunch! You get what you pay for at best.

[golf2140]

I have used them for the past 5+ years, No problems

[Debfrommaine]

I have used them for the past 5+ years, No problems

Sorry to hear about your issues and hope they get resolved quickly.

We've used them for a few years now, no problems, thankfully.

[graciegirl]

Is this the same thing as the folks I would see at Colony Cottage Rec Center helping people with their tax returns? I always thought how nice of retired accountants to volunteer their time.

Or is this another situation?

[bargee]

We have used them for years and never had a problem.

[Cisco Kid]

Good lord :mad:

[Greg Nelson]

get an extension..we do. Tax people after the 15th work better. Should I renew my AARP?

[gomoho]

Ok, time to stop freaking out. Simply file an amended 1040X form. Now you will get what you're entitled to.

I wonder if you would be that casual if it were your money the government is holding onto?

[RickeyD]

I wonder if you would be that casual if it were your money the government is holding onto?


I most certainly know I'd be peeved, but I know with the amended form filed I'd have my money in a couple of months. The Treasury Dept is good for it. Really, not a big deal.

[laceylady]

Is this the same thing as the folks I would see at Colony Cottage Rec Center helping people with their tax returns? I always thought how nice of retired accountants to volunteer their time.

Or is this another situation?

These are the same people....but they are NOT retired accountants. I attended the first training session last year. The tax preparer students have a multitude of different backgrounds, from engineers to...? Many had done their own taxes in the past, some such as myself were accountants and had worked for other tax services. I worked for H&R Block for 10 years. Their tax preparers also come from varied backgrounds and go through Block's training program as the AARP people go through AARP's program. The best thing to do is ask for an "experienced" tax preparer when having your taxes done at such a place.

[sunnyatlast]

This whole "freebie" service is just one more way that "non-profit" AARP is in bed with the feds, and the IRS, like they are in bed with United Healthcare to give UHC-AARP even more business/control to strangle competition, cashing in on the new healthcare law!

From the IRS Website:

"The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $53,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.
Before going to a VITA or TCE site, see……

A majority of the TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program. To locate the nearest AARP TCE Tax-Aide site between January and April use….."

IRS: Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers (http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers)

[TrudyM]

These are the same people....but they are NOT retired accountants. I attended the first training session last year. The tax preparer students have a multitude of different backgrounds, from engineers to...? Many had done their own taxes in the past, some such as myself were accountants and had worked for other tax services. I worked for H&R Block for 10 years. Their tax preparers also come from varied backgrounds and go through Block's training program as the AARP people go through AARP's program. The best thing to do is ask for an "experienced" tax preparer when having your taxes done at such a place.

I have used them for advice but not had them prepare the return. I went in and stated I had a complicated tax question (which I did) and that I would wait for a retired accountant. I had brought all the paper forms printed out. Sat down and pulled out my book to read as I waited. Got a very smart retired fellow who answered my strange questions and we wrote on my blank forms where to list what. Took them home and filed out the forms fresh copies and filed them myself. At the time I had a weird investment that I didn't know how to report. Now that my life is more simple I use Turbo tax but the person who posted they have an accountant that only charges $175 is getting a steal.

[Villages PL]

What's the most income you can have and still be able to go to AARP Tax Aid? Assuming you keep things simple - no deductions etc.

The first newspaper article that came out this year said something about serving "low to moderate income" people. But it didn't specify an income limit.

[sirknor]

Should we condemn the whole organization. They do thousands of returns each year. They are a great service for people who REALLY need them.

[PennBF]

I know the horse is out of the barn BUT if you need very good advise and treatment in the Villages I would recommend Mark Murphy, CPA in the Villages. We have used him for years and could not be happier.:wave:

[gomoho]

What's the most income you can have and still be able to go to AARP Tax Aid? Assuming you keep things simple - no deductions etc.

The first newspaper article that came out this year said something about serving "low to moderate income" people. But it didn't specify an income limit.

If you have a simple return - no deductions etc. go online and file for free. It is the easiest thing to do. They'll walk you through step by step.

[Miles42]

I like the old saying you only get what you paid for.