Being charged outrageous fees from a tax person that didn’t actually do or submit tax
I am asking or writing on behalf of my mother. I am her POA and this year I completed her taxes. Three times in the last decade, a tax preparer had completed and submitted on her behalf.
This year, I asked the tax preparer over the phone to file an extension. After verbally giving him the go ahead, I emailed him regarding his fee for the extension. I have his $100 dollar fee in writing. After learning of the $100 fee, I tried to tell him to hold off in the same email exchange.
Two weeks later his company wrote again asking for her SS income and other tax documents. I responded by saying I was doing her taxes and if I needed their assistance, I would let them know. In August, I heard from the tax guy again. In this exchange, he is claiming to have started two hours of prep work (without pertinent documents and without any sort of agreement or permission).
The company is now invoicing my mother over 800 dollars. He only had a verbal yes to filing an extension. Is my mother legally obligated to pay for services she/I never asked for.
In addition, in the previous years when he’s filed an extension and completed and submitted her taxes- he’s charged her $100 for the extension and $475 for completion and submitting. Thus, he’s doubled his fees without actually doing or sending in her taxes.
He also know I am her POA and I’ve told him to only contact me. He’s disregarding my requests to stop contacting her. At this point it’s starting to feel like elderly abuse given he’s going after the weaker party.
I would appreciate any responses as to how to proceed- whether I should just ignore his invoices. As of now, I feel like chancing him taking her to small claims court.
I am asking or writing on behalf of my mother. I am her POA and this year I completed her taxes. Three times in the last decade, a tax preparer had completed and submitted on her behalf.
This year, I asked the tax preparer over the phone to file an extension. After verbally giving him the go ahead, I emailed him regarding his fee for the extension. I have his $100 dollar fee in writing. After learning of the $100 fee, I tried to tell him to hold off in the same email exchange.
Two weeks later his company wrote again asking for her SS income and other tax documents. I responded by saying I was doing her taxes and if I needed their assistance, I would let them know. In August, I heard from the tax guy again. In this exchange, he is claiming to have started two hours of prep work (without pertinent documents and without any sort of agreement or permission).
The company is now invoicing my mother over 800 dollars. He only had a verbal yes to filing an extension. Is my mother legally obligated to pay for services she/I never asked for.
In addition, in the previous years when he’s filed an extension and completed and submitted her taxes- he’s charged her $100 for the extension and $475 for completion and submitting. Thus, he’s doubled his fees without actually doing or sending in her taxes.
He also know I am her POA and I’ve told him to only contact me. He’s disregarding my requests to stop contacting her. At this point it’s starting to feel like elderly abuse given he’s going after the weaker party.
I would appreciate any responses as to how to proceed- whether I should just ignore his invoices. As of now, I feel like chancing him taking her to small claims court.
Last edited: