Business ProfileforNational Tax Experts

The following describes a government action that has been resolved by either a settlement or a decision by a court or administrative agency. If the matter is being appealed, it will be noted below. 

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced July 6, 2021, his Consumer protection Division has reached a settlement with California-based National Tax Experts, Inc. and Patrick Oakes, the company’s owner (CPD Case No. 21-006-335248 OAH Case No. OAG-CPD-04-2106275.) The Division settles allegations that National Tax Experts sent deceptive advertisements to Marylanders that were intended to appear as if they were sent by a Maryland court and falsely warned consumers that their assets were facing imminent seizure. Under terms of the settlement, National Tax Experts and Oakes agreed to refund all payments made by approximately 135 Maryland consumers to National Tax Experts since February 2017, the date the company was purchased by Oakes. National Tax Experts may reduce the refunds it pays to consumers if it can demonstrate that it performed actual work for consumers, either by preparing and filing tax returns or settling consumers’ tax debts. The settlement also requires National Tax Experts and Oakes to pay a civil penalty of $100,000, which could be reduced to $50,000. National Tax Experts and Oakes also agreed to cease offering and selling tax debt relief services to Maryland consumers.  

Consumers who are eligible for refunds will be contacted by the Attorney General’s Office. Consumers may contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 410-576-6569 with questions. 

The Assurance was for settlement purposes only and should not be considered as an admission of guilt or finding of violation of the law. For more details go to https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2021/070621.pdf.