ComplaintsforLank, Johnson & Tull, CPAs

• Initial Complaint

  02/23/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We retained Lank, Johnson & Tull in October 2021 to file our 2021 tax returns, primarily because we had not received our third stimulus check. Upon our first conversation, I asked explained that was a number one priority, provided all information that they asked for. On 2/11/21 we received notice of our completed return and directed by email to return a signed e-file form prior to receiving a full copy of our tax return. At that time, I asked if the stimulus was taken care of. I never received a response. We returned the signed document and subsequently received our tax returns. There was NO MENTION of the missing stimulus check. I also received a letter from the IRS that same day advising that we were due the stimulus and to make a claim in our taxes. I sent an email the next business day to Lank with all this information. I then received a call stating we made too much money in 2021 to be eligible. This is incorrect. That stimulus was based on 2020 tax returns. Lank had already filed our tax return without mentioning the stimulus. We were told that we had to fight the IRS on our own. Lank did admit their mistakes but made no offer to rectify them. Basically said that we were out of luck.

  Business response

  02/25/2022

  ********** 
  
  I've completed an internal review of this matter. I've taken a look at your return, all of our correspondence with you, and reviewed the rules and guidelines that apply to this particular scenario. 
  
  According to the IRS website, the third round of Economic Impact Payments, including the plus-up payments, were advance payments of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit claimed on a 2021 tax return. The IRS began issuing the third round of Economic Impact Payments in March 2021 and continued through December 2021. You can read more about 2021 Recovery Rebate Credits here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-general-information
  
  Generally, someone was eligible for the full amount of the Third Economic Impact Payment if they:
  
  are a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien (and their spouse if filing a joint return), and are not a dependent of another taxpayer, and had adjusted gross income (AGI) that is not more than:
  $150,000 if married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower
  $112,500 if filing as head of household or
  $75,000 for any other filing status
  
  Payments were phased out – or reduced – above those AGI amounts. This means people did not receive a payment if their AGI was at least:
  
  $160,000 if married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower
  $120,000 if filing as head of household
  $80,000 for any other filing status
  
  The Third Economic Impact Payment amount was:
  
  $1,400 for an eligible individual with a valid Social Security number ($2,800 for married couples filing a joint return if both spouses have a valid Social Security number or if one spouse has a valid Social Security number and one spouse was an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the taxable year)
  $1,400 for each qualifying dependent with a valid Social Security number or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the IRS
  
  You can read more about the Third Economic Impact Payment here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/third-economic-impact-payment
  
  Now, as I understand it, you did not receive your Third Economic Impact Payment. Since you and your husband file jointly, you were expecting to receive $2,800. You requested that we claim this amount on your 2021 federal tax return. 
  
  However, as explained above, the IRS considered the Third Economic Impact Payments to be "advance payments of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit claimed on a 2021 tax return." Based on your 2021 tax return, you did not meet the eligibility requirements outlined by the IRS, specifically because your income was too high. 
  
  It is quite possible that the IRS indicated that you were eligible for the payment based on your 2020 AGI because that's how they determined initial eligibility for the payments as that was the most current information that they had since your 2021 return had not been filed yet.
  
  In reviewing your correspondence with us, I did notice that you asked if you could amend your return to married filing separately to receive the payments. I've looked at this again and determined that it would've been a net loss. You would've ended up owing more in taxes due to the higher tax rate applied to married filing separately filers. It is generally much more advantageous to file jointly as a married couple. That applies here as well. The additional taxes owed would've been greater than the payments received.
  
  If we made any failure here, I think it was in really taking the time and care to better explain these issues to you. For that, we offer our apologies. Thank you for being a client and should you need any assistance with this matter, or anything else in the future, please feel free to reach out to me directly at ************************. 
  
  Thank you, 
  
  Lank, Johnson & Tull, CPAs

  Customer response

  02/28/2022

  Better Business Bureau:

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint and have determined that this does not resolve my  issue.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  **In order for the bureau to continue to assist you, you MUST provide your view on the matter or your complaint will be closed as answered.
  This is simply not true and correct.  **** **** admitted that you totally missed even checking on this.  You filed our tax return without any discussion despite emails to ****** ***** asking about this.  ****** *****, your paraprofessional, ignored those requests and sent an email stating she would not mail our tax returns UNTIL we signed the efile form.  Your office made many mistakes and you are correct, one of them was not discussing anything with us.  I expect a full refund from you.  We will go on to fight the IRS on our own but I promise you, I will be a vocal advocate to warn people from hiring you.  Please submit our full refund.  **** said he would be providing compensation.  That was not what we were seeking, but at this point, we demand it.  Mr. ****, if you would like to see ALL of the emails between me, **** and ******, your paraprofessional, I am happy to provide them.  You are responsible for your paraprofessional.  
  
  
  
  Regards,

  Complaint ID: 16799852

   

   

   

  Business response

  03/04/2022

  In your original complaint you did not request a partial or a full refund. To best resolve this matter, we will process a full refund for you. Good luck to you in your efforts with the IRS. 

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