My Rapid Refund checks have been sitting there for 5 days, Should I be entitled to a refund for my fees?

Question

On Friday, February 2nd I had my taxes done at a major tax branch. I applied for the 8-14 day Rapid Refund therefore; However, Saturday, 3rd, the next day I received a call from my rep. stating that my taxes were denied because of conflict of my child's birthday. The year was off by one digit, which was corrected. On the 18th after not hearing anything else regarding my tax refund and attempting to talk to someone in the office I was finally able to speak to a representative for the answering machine was full and I could not leave a message. I was told by the office manager that a hundred checks had came in last Tuesday 13th and a CTR had tried to call me at one of my three numbers but failed to leave a message (my checks have been sitting in that office for five days). I told the office manager that I have caller ID on all three numbers and no one from that office had called me. I ask her that IF someone had called wouldn’t there be a roster with the time and date. She said no. NOW MY QUESTION IS “Should I be entitled to a refund for my Rapid Refund fees?” According the office manager, I still have paper work to complete and the rep I originally started working with is not available to assist me.

Overtaxed: Actually, I brought in my previous year tax record that shows my child's birthday and social security number. Therefore, I believe the fault lies with the rep and not me. I ask for a copy of the paper work that was to be sent to the IRS but was told no; I would get a copy once my return is accepted and a check was cut.

MarineM: Thank you for the advice about filing online, I will look into it for next year. I have already requested a fee waiver. As for me just wanting my refund no matter what the timeline is, that is not true. I paid for a service and I expect them to live up to their part of the contract!

Answer 1

I don't think you are entitled, sorry. You caused the error with the wrong date. It was fixed on Saturday the 3rd, which means it was probably received/accepted by the IRS on the 4th. 14 days later is the 18th, which is when you found you could go to get your check. You could try to negotiate something, but you probably won't get anywhere.

Answer 2

I doubt it but you could sure try. I am still amazed that anyone does the Rapid Refund and pays the extra fees to get your $$ supposidly so much earlier. It's just as easy to file online for free if you made under $52,000 (we used H & R Block) and then you can have your refund directly deposited into your own bank account. It usually does not take that long and you can be assured of the date the IRS gives you that the $$$ will be there on that day. We efiled on Feb 1 and if we had efiled before noon that day, we would of had our refund direct deposited into our account on 2/9. But, as it turned out, we had it deposited on 2/16 instead...not too bad really. That timeline for your Rapid Refund sounds the same as just filing a return online yourself...not a real advantage over anyone else really.

Anyway, I think you just need to talk to them and ask them if you could have your fees waived since they did not contact you or have any record of contacting you regarding your refund that came in and how it caused you so much stress! At any rate, even if they don't, at least you did get your money so that is really all that matters, right?

Answer 3

This sounds like a sticky situation.
Of course I'd agree with you, their service stinks. However, you're going to have to consult with them in order to resolve the situation. It's up to that company to decide what they are going to do and perhaps they've covered this in some disclaimer already.

Best of luck.

Answer 4

Only if the birthdate mix up was their fault. For if it were not for the birthdate mix up you would have received your tax refund on time. The check sitting at the office really has no bearing.

Answer 5

Why are you being so polite as to not mention this company's name? Tell us. Tell the world. If it's true, it is not libel and you can't get in trouble. This is why I do my own taxes.