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:05/05/2025

  Type:Service or Repair 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.

  This tax provider failed to provide service that was ethical and professional to this writer while filing for taxes, 2024. Mr ********************** is friends with my spouse. Unfortunately, my husband has some mild dementia (87 yrs), lacks a ************* and will go along with anything Mr ********************** suggests. They decided that I owe $5100. due to low amount being withheld from my pay. (They had already decided payments for me of $400+ a month to the ***** In addition, my spouse is to pay $4900. a total of $10,000 from us, his money is to go toward an advance for the NEXT tax yr. I said as of today I have only worked 1 day due to having had surgery and being out from work, so you can't gage next year. This business uses deceptive practices and preys on seniors. Mr ********************** stated I would get the State tax refund, then he sent it to my husband's account. As a result, I have suffered a great deal of anguish and stress. I want the $450.00 that I paid them under false pretenses, returned to me. I receive soc. **** and only work part time.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/09/2025

  Good afternoon, 

  
  My name is ******** *********************** **** Managing-Member of B&R *********************** LLC (formerly B&R Brooks Professional Tax Service).
  I am writing this correspondence in response to complaint #********, filed by Mrs. ******** ***** (spouse) as it relates to her jointly filed tax return with her husband Mr. ***** ***** (taxpayer). In this complaint, the spouse states we have "... failed to provide service that was ethical and professional" and that "This business uses deceptive practices and preys on seniors". For the reasons set forth below, we dispute and deny her allegations of any wrongdoing.

  The Internal Revenue Service is structured as a pay-as-you go system which requires all taxpayers to have taxes withheld from their taxable income at regular intervals. This is achieved via withholdings from compensation received for services (paycheck) or from voluntary estimated tax payments made each quarter.Taxpayers who properly follow this system should have small balances due or small refunds (less than $1,000) each filing season. We do this to ensure we satisfy our obligation to pay taxes at the direction of the Internal Revenue Service and to avoid the underpayment penalty that can be assessed by the Internal Revenue Service. 

  In response to consistently having large balances due, Mr.******** *********************** Sr. ******** of B&R Brooks Professional Tax Service and currently a contractor of B&R *********************** LLC) had a meeting to discuss the tax fact pattern as it applied to the taxpayer and spouse. Our firm is duty bound to ensure our clients are informed of their income tax obligations to the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, we make sure all of our clients are given all of the options available to them to remedy any large balances due among other tax related issues.
  
  We acknowledge that tax fact patterns change and because of this flexibility is built into our system. In the event a taxpayer determines they cannot satisfy the agreement made between them and the Internal Revenue Service they have the option of canceling any payment arrangement that has been made. The process of canceling payments is done by simply calling the Internal Revenue Service and instructing them to do so. The phone number, ************** is clearly stated on the cover letter of the hard copy we submit to the taxpayers after services have been rendered. 

  
  It is our position that it is not unethical to ensure our clients satisfy their tax obligations to the Department of the Treasury. We stand by our work. It is upon over forty-four years in the practice of taxation and accounting that we make this assertion. We also refer to the following guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service as it relates to the tax fact pattern in question. On Page 3, of the Form 1040-SR, Sign Here section states:

  
  "Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than taxpayer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge".

  
  The Spouse signed and dated the tax return indicating she was either in agreement with the terms of the tax return as prepared or was willingly committing perjury. 

  
  The Internal Revenue website, located here *********************************** states:

  "If you didn't pay enough tax throughout the year, either through withholding or by making estimated tax payments, you may have to pay a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax.Generally, most taxpayers will avoid this penalty if they either owe less than $1,000 in tax after subtracting their withholding and refundable credits, or if they paid withholding and estimated tax of at least 90% of the tax for the current year or 100% of the tax shown on the return for the prior year, whichever is smaller."

  
  Our guidance is based clearly on the rules enacted by Congress and enforced by the Internal Revenue Service. 
  

  While we will not dignify suggestions that we prey on any member of our community for any reason with a response, you cannot sustain a business for over four decades being unethical. As accountants, we are not qualified to make medical diagnoses of our clients. Additionally, we were never given any documentation, (power of attorney, medical power of attorney, etc.)to suggest the taxpayer was not of sound mind or body. Nonetheless, we find it highly unethical to discuss any person's medical condition in the public sphere. We also find it highly unethical to discuss any aspect of any person's tax profile in the aforementioned public space. Additionally, we find it highly unethical to improperly refer to our fee structure in the public sphere and then combine that untruth with the two previously mentioned unethical behaviors to create a false narrative to gain position.

  
  Please refer to the attached screenshot of a ****** review submitted by the Spouse to corroborate our position. It is our position that the spouse's ****** review was defamatory and libelous and it will be responded to as such. 

  
  Ultimately, we are interested in reaching a reasonable conclusion that will maintain the dignity of all parties involved. We eagerly await your reply.
  
  With kindest regards,
  

  
  ******** *********************** Jr.
  Managing-Member

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/12/2025

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I want to close out this case.
   
  Sincerely,
  
  ******** *****