Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/25/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Good morning yes I had filed my taxes through TurboTax like I do every year only this year I had to pay to filed them since I couldnt pay upfront. Well the Santa Barbara tax group has had my taxes since last week Wednesday and has not released them I do not think its right that they hold on to your taxes when its not their money I have read numerous complaints about them not sending people their refund money if I knew this ahead of time I wouldnt of used TurboTax because this is stealing and they need to be stopped once and for all I dont understand how this business it still open if they have stolen tax money from the US citizens and gotten away with it its not their money and I do not bank with them I want my money now Ive already gotten my tax money 5 days before its supposed to be deposited dont understand why they are not releasing my funds its not their money and its scamming people and holding their funds its not right and something needs to be done. I am a single mother with a sick kid I need my money that I have worked hard for all year long. Please help! It says it been funded but it has not I called my checking account today they dont see any pending deposits.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/10/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I agreed to and was supposed to be charged ****** dollars for my tax preparation and processing fees but they took ******* from my taxes. My refund was ******* and they only gave me 6710 even after I ended up having to file my own taxes because the *** never received the taxes they filed. I told the *** agent it was OK to still pay them the *************************************************************************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/03/2025

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Santa Barbara Tax Products Group , said they mailed me a check November ******* , I waited weeks for the check they said so called gotten lost. So I had to fill out papers to get another reimbursement ,they sent another out so called December ******* . Nothing still showed up they have so many complaints about them stealing people checks and money how are they still open for business I been waiting 3 months now please help .

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/15/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  So yurbo tax promised me that I wouldn't be charged since I should have been using the free service and assured me that I wouldn't have to worry about paying the fee for the services that I never used and after not getting my return do to a hang up with irs I am now awaiting to be reissued ny refund since an obt eas sent to an old address and not the updated that I clearly added to the reutn that eas processed I'm out 744$ there and this is due to Santa Barbara tax group handing my taxes off to the bureau of fiscal services before the obr was ever properly served to me since the irs didn't update my address and they sent the notice to the last one even though the return they processed was with the address I am staying at. Then after turbo tax said don't worry you won't be charges as you never used our services and then didn't handle it this company to make matters worse it's like they were tracking the balance of my account for the direct deposit because the second I started moving my own money around from my hard earned paycheck boom a 296$ payment was deducted and now after turbo tax gatenteed me a return it's still out of their hands and up to these guys to process me a refund via check within 5 to 8 weeks like what a joke and there's no way to expedite it even though this company wasn't entitled to a penny of my money and now have caused me further serious fincial hardship on top of everything else I was already dealing with and now I want waiting penalties and or to press charges for their. Dispite the contract I had called turbo tax previous to the withdrawal and explained and to top it off didn't use the services I wasn't ever suppose to be charged for unless I used them and then got my refund but this company still felt the need to make my life very difficult. This company is a wreck and makes turbo tax look bad because it's set up to capitalize off the poor by charging a grip to expedite payments and they stole from me this is theft .Ima lose my job now

  Business Response

  Date: 10/18/2024

  Dear Sir or M****,
  

  Please find attached the response for **** *******, Complaint ID: ********.
  

  Best regards,
  Santa Barbara Tax Products Group
  Complaint Dept.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/05/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I received a check from my customer from ************************/ ************ for $6141.00 and can not cash the check at ******* or WellsFargo where I was told the check could be cashed. The tax preparer and I called that sbtpg and explained to ***** the problem that no bank or ******* would cash my check, and he told me it was not his problem and asked are you all just going to keep my $6100.00 and he stated, yes. ***** #****

  Business Response

  Date: 07/11/2023

  Dear *************************,
  
  This letter is in response to the complaint against Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG) through the Better Business Bureau on July 6,2023.
  
  You have voiced concerns about not being able to negotiate a customers check. TPG could not locate your customers record with the information submitted through your complaint. Because this matter addresses potentially sensitive or confidential information, a representative at TPG will be in contact with your office, ************************* Taxes LLC, to work on the issue directly. If you have questions, please contact TPG at ************, Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
  
  Respectfully,
  TPG Complaint Department 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/13/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/11/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  In 2021, I had my taxes filed via Turbo Tax. I was incarcerated, so I had my sister file my taxes for me. During the filing process, she attempted to have the taxes deposited into an account in her name. The money was not allowed to be deposited into her account, & in turn, was returned to the bank that Turbo Tax uses, SBTPG. I contacted the *********************** ****** emailed a document to have my taxes sent me to in the form of a check. I had the document notarized and emailed back to the TPG. They informed me that Id receive a check via mail in about 10 days. I never received the check nor did I get any kind of response from the TPG in regard to why they never sent the check. This bank has handled this situation with in a highly unprofessional manner and have not allowed me to have access to funds that belong rightfully to me. Therefore, this complaint is filed.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/13/2023

  April 6, 2023
  Dear *************************, 
  This letter is in response to the complaint filed against Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG) through 
  the Better Business Bureau on March 27, 2023.

  
  We apologize for your experience in contacting TPG ***************** The automated phone system is 
  accessible for current-year accounts. For questions about prior year tax filings, please contact us at ************************************************* and your request will be routed to the appropriate department. 
  

  TPG offers taxpayers an optional tax-refund transfer service through a network of tax preparation 
  franchises, independent tax professionals, and online tax preparation providers. The refund transfer 
  service (the ** Service) is offered and administered by Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC, with 
  ************ providing banking services for the ** Service. The ** Service allows taxpayers to pay their tax 
  preparation fees from their federal or state tax refund rather than paying their tax preparation fees at the 
  time of filing. With the ** Service, taxpayers authorize a temporary non-interest-bearing deposit account 
  to be opened in the taxpayers name at ************ to receive a direct deposit of the taxpayers federal 
  and/or state tax refund from the *** or state tax authority. The ************ account is opened when 
  ************ receives the taxpayers federal or state tax refund. When ************ receives the federal or 
  state tax refund (whichever arrives first), TPG makes deductions from the tax refund to pay the tax 
  preparation fees and associated upfront fees. ************ disburses the refund balance to the taxpayer 
  pursuant to the taxpayers instruction. You electronically agreed to these terms and conditions through 
  your ** Service Agreement.
  

  According to our records, on February 23, 2022, TPG received your electronic submittal through the online 
  do-it-yourself software provider, TurboTax.com. This means that the option to utilize a Refund Transfer 
  to pay the software fees was selected instead of paying via credit card at the time of filing. When TPG 
  received your refund from the ***, it was deposited into a temporary, non-interest-bearing account; we 
  deducted the fees for the tax preparation and *********************** and deposited the remaining 
  balance to the account designated at the time of filing (Routing Number: ********* and Account 
  Number: *************). You may reference the Disbursement Methods section 7 of your ******************************** Agreement to confirm your submitted account information. 
  Unfortunately, the designated financial institution, ******************************* rejected the funds, 
  declared the account an R23/Credit Entry Refused by Receiver, and returned your funds to TPG. Once 
  TPG received the rejected refund, TPG attempted to disburse funds to you by mailing a cashiers check to 
  your address on record.
  

  However, you informed TPG that someone other than yourself filed your online tax return and your 
  address on record is no longer current. Due to the risk of fraudulent diversion of your tax refund, your 
  funds need to be returned to the ***. As a one-time courtesy for these circumstances, TPG will remit your 
  ** Service fee, Check Reissue fee, and Return to *** fee.
  Your funds will be wired to the *** in the next available batch. When funds are returned to the ***, it may 
  take the *** several weeks to process and credit the refund to your account. It is recommended that you 
  allow the allotted time and contact the *** directly at ************ or go to www.irs.gov for further 
  details or seek assistance from a Taxpayer Advocate in your state.
  

  For questions about prior year tax filings, please contact us at ************************************************* and 
  your request will be routed to the appropriate department. 
  

  Respectfully,
  TPG Complaint Department

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/05/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  March 15, 2023 a TurboTax DD was initiated onetime, due to a technical error w/ my bank the deposit was rejected. March 16 ************* online customer portal shows a paper check was mailed to my correct address minus an additional ***** return check fee/conversion to paper check feeAdvised a ***** day expected delivery via regular mail April 5 Informed delivery has no record for the next ************************************************************************************** various check mail out dates, erroneous email notification claims(one email sent 3/22) provided each time. Majority of the banking information provided via phone is in direct opposition of the online banking customer portal.Check mail date(s) range from 3/16 / 3/17 or 3/18 have been provided when we attempt to gain assistance or clarifying information on delivery expectancy beyond a customer service rep after 3/25 The last attempt to speak with a banking supervisor was on 3/30 the ** rep advised she was a supervisor & no other info was available therefore she refused my request for additional help from a supervisor. The rep auditable made sound of frustration she continually & purposely misrepresented the information I provided to her.., regarding a mail hold and informed delivery for my mailing address, in relation to this one piece of mail as a tracking means for myself. She erroneously & repeatedly restated the issue as a mail issue regardless of wht info was provided to her and insisted the bank could not help with mail issues.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/07/2023

  Dear Sir or Madam, 
  

  
  Please see the attached response for *********************, Complaint ID ********.

   

  
  Best Regards,
  
  TPG Complaint Department

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/03/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  TPG is handling my tax return for 2021. They said they mailed out a check to me on 3-16-23 and found out today 4-3-23 when I called them that my check was returned to them Friday 3-31-23. Ive talked with the post office and they have no knowledge of this happening and have spoken to the mail couriers for my area. I also never had anything from TPG come through my **** informed delivery account. They told me I should have had my check after 10 business days starting 3-16-33 when they mailed it out. Im having issues getting any answers from them. They want me to wait to be emailed a form to fill out to have another check mailed out to me. I truly believe this is an error on their end.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/06/2023

  Dear Sir or Madam,

   

  Please see the attached response for *****************************, Complaint ID ********.

   

  Best Regards, 

   

  TPG Complaint Department

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/02/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I filed on turbo tax they for some reason sent it to you guys dumb move because you owe me !!!!!!!TPG deposit shorted me ******* you owe me money !This will be fix or I see a huge lawsuit happening for you ! No one steals from me !! Pay up you thieves!!!

  Business Response

  Date: 04/07/2023

  Please see the attached response for ***********************.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/30/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This company took my refund due to having fees took out, my refund got rejected when it was sent to my bank due to a name change Santa Barbara Sent a check to my old address it never got forwarded I believe they never sent one. Now they sent my refund back to the **** the Irs stating they have not received anything.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/07/2023

  Please see the attached response for *****************************.