The Neal Group

Review: This accounting firm prepared income tax return for my ex-husband and I. My name on the tax returns is [redacted]. This firm was aware that the divorce was final April 2013. I went to this firm on July 9 and paid the fee to prepare the return as was set forth in the Marital Settlement Agreement. I signed a form to file Federal and Wiscosin taxes electronically. I believe [redacted] does not require a signature for electronic filing but all tax filings were done electronically. I signed the form and received a copy of the 2012 tax returns and a letter from Mr. [redacted] giving a description of how much the refunds were and that a check was going to be disbursed. This was dated June 24, 2013. I was assured by his staff that that was the way refunds were handled in a year of divorce. Two weeks later, I check online with the IRS, the Department of Revenue in Wisconsin and the Department of Revenue in [redacted] and found out that the refunds had been processed and direct deposited. I called the [redacted] Group and spoke with someone there about this. They said the return had been changed to reflect a direct deposit on July 11. I asked who did this and they said the owner John [redacted] did this. I asked for a copy of the changed documents. I got a copy of the Federal return with an account number and a bank routing number filled in whereas my copy had XXXXXX in that area to indicate a check to be issued. The support staff also sent me a copy of the letter dated July 11 indicating again the amount of all refunds but that they would go to my ex-husband's checking account. I had no knowledge this change and I would not have approved as our divorce was very contentious. At this moment, I am filing contempt charges against my ex for my half of the refunds which was set forth in the MSA that I was awarded. The refunds were $9,553 from the IRS, $3,854 from Wisconsin, and $750 from [redacted]. I contacted and spoke with Mr. [redacted] once and he said he would check on this, but never returned my call. I called again 2 weeks later and he didn't return my call. My divorce attorney addressed this in a letter to Mr. [redacted] dated August 23, 2013, and still no answer from Mr. [redacted]. I won't be getting any funds from my ex. He says he is broke. I feel someone made a big mistake in changing my tax return without my consent.Desired Settlement: I am under the impression that this type of business has insurance coverage for these kinds of mistakes. I would like the total of all the refunds given to me plus I want a refund of the fees to prepare the tax returns which was $477.

Business

Response:

I

am replying regarding the above matter.

It is my understanding [redacted] will be receiving her share of all

refunds from the IRS, State of [redacted] and State of Wisconsin this week. I am also refunding her tax preparation fee

as she requested.