Tax Time—A costly mistake for me

    Preparing your tax return is not an easy thing to do. At least that is what I thought. I received my W-2 form in the mail and all the other necessary paperwork needed to prepare my return. I made an appointment with H & R Block. I have been going there for about three years now. I have always been satisfied with them until this year.

    I arrived at my scheduled appointment time and was seated with a woman. I handed her my paperwork and she began to prepare my taxes on a program on her computer. This program she was using looked like a simple program, something any idiot could do. I was a bit skeptical when she had to ask other preparers questions regarding the program. I did not feel too confident in her abilities, so I watched very carefully. I though to myself, “I could do this.” I let her continue and then she proceeded to tell me what my Federal refund was as well as my State refund. I was pleasantly surprised! Especially the State refund. More than I thought. That was good news!

    Then the bad news. This will cost me $400.00. I thought I heard her incorrectly---------- $400.00! This company will get my $400.00 because this woman filled in a few blank squares in a program! All she did was take information from my paperwork and the system basically calculated it! At that moment, I probably should have told her that I did not want them to prepare my taxes and walked out with my paperwork. But I did not. I am still asking myself why I did not leave.

    She then asked me how I would like to pay for the services as well as how I would like to receive my refund. I had a couple of options, and I chose the cheapest option. It would be deposited directly in my account. Since I could not pay the fees at that time, I agreed to have the fees taken out of my refund. In order to do this, it would cost me an additional $29.00. Wow, this company sure knows how to take your money. I agreed to that as well. I guess I was in a pretty agreeable mood.

    As I was watching television one night, I saw a commercial for H & R Block at Home. Curious, I went to their website. I was amazed at what I found. On their home page, were three choices to do your taxes yourself USING THEIR SOFTWARE at a fraction of the cost I paid. There were different levels of cost depending on how complicated your tax return would be. The most expensive one, the one I would have used, only cost $59.00. I felt like I was just stabbed in the back. When you get your returns done at H & R Block, they ask you sign a form stating that H & R Block informed you and explained to you all the services they offer. Hmmmm, I did not remember her telling me about this. Why would they tell customers this? They would lose a lot of money in fees if it were not for the dumb asses like me. So, I called corporate to complain. They told me that since I already paid for the services, I would not be getting any adjustments. I did not pay for it yet. The IRS is still processing my refund. So I called corporate back. Now I am waiting on another return call. I am guessing I will not get a return call until AFTER I receive my refund. How convenient.
    I have officially learned from yet another mistake…………..