Did they take advantage of her?
By Modestah
@Modestah (11177)
United States
March 10, 2008 3:54am CST
My mother was newly widowed the end of 2007 and she felt a little too feeble to file her taxes herself this year so went to H & R Block office.
A simple return but for the fact that she is widowed... this is only for Federal income as the state she resides does not have state taxes.
They charged her $155!
with no added schedules or forms....
Did they take advantage of her? is this a normal fee for simple tax prep?
I was astounded and told her we could have done it online for free - me talking with her on the phone and filling in the information.
It really bugs me as her income is extremely limited now.
4 people like this
12 responses
@di1159 (1580)
• United States
10 Mar 08
If it was a simple return then she was definately overcharged! I would call and ask for their prices and then show up with her and her receipt, speak to a manager and demand some kind of refund. It's a shame that supposedly reputable companies will take advantage of an older person. There are many places which will help with tax filing for free, including local universities as this is a requirement for aspiring accountants. I hope you are able to get her some money back.
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
10 Mar 08
It is expensive but normal. Last year I paid 160 at Liberty Mutual this year I paid 144 at H&R block I had a coupon. It all depends on what state you live in too. When I was in FL I only paid about 60. If you just file federal then its less expensive then if you file State too. When I was in FL I paid Federal only. Now here in PA I pay ... Federal, State, AND Local. And thats just income taxes! You pay for each form and that racks up the bill. It sucks I know but inless you do it yourself you get charged out the butt.
Just remember in the future to ask how much it is going to be in advance!
@lingli_78 (12821)
• Australia
10 Mar 08
i think they did... it is really overcharged if they charge $155 just for a simple tax return... i always do my tax return by myself and never use a professional service... so i don't really know how much they charge... but i think the most is $100... it is already expensive... i know that for students, they only charge $60 here... so may be you can have a talk with them and ask them to reduce the fee...
@LauraElrod (418)
• United States
10 Mar 08
that is normal i payed 250 it depends on the return , the cheapest i seen was 59.00 so yes that is normal ,
@lolalolacherrycola (899)
• United States
12 Mar 08
I definitely think they took advantage of her. That is a shame to prey on the elderly who live on fixed incomes.
Some of the online tax prep sites are wonderful and inexpensive. Maybe you can help her with that next year.
I use tax act.
Guides you right through it step by step and is very reasonable.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
10 Mar 08
Honestly this doesn't sound that 'off base' - I've done my own taxes online (just did them last night actually) so am not up to date on the rates but the last I knew H & R Block was one of the highest priced and this sounds about right. What you might do is call a local office and just ask them what their rates are. The last time I paid someone to do mine it was over $100 but I had an extra form to file and they did federal and state - that was 5 or more years ago.
@Modestah (11177)
• United States
10 Mar 08
oh, wow, I guess it has been a long time since I paid then. I figured they would charge a fee for each extra form after the orignal
I will make that call as you suggest if for nothing else than to put my mind at ease.
I worry so about my mother and wish we were not so far away.
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
10 Mar 08
NO, that sounds about right. H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt, charge an arm and a leg to file your taxes anymore. It used to be that H&R Block was very cheap. Not to mention inaccurate. Jackson Hewitt for the money is much better. I have never had any problems like I did with H&R Block. In fact somehow I always get more on my returns than I do with H&R Block. Go figure.
@kimbers867 (2539)
• United States
10 Mar 08
In my opinion they did. I only spend maybe $60 to do both fed and state for a family of 4 with schedules. Granted I am using tax software, so it doesn't include my time.
That is so sad.
@ufo_thexfiles (723)
• Malaysia
10 Mar 08
I am so sad for you and your mother. She just have a great lose and then they treat her badly.
Maybe you can fine them to court?
@luvstochat (6907)
• United States
11 Mar 08
That sounds awfully high to me. When my mother in law has her simple taxes done HR would charge her $60 that sound more feasible.
Just becasue she is widowed does not make her taxes any harder to do. I think I would go in and complain. Call anoather HR block office and ask what they would have charged and go from there.
