July 2018 by Lee W.
Marilyn K Ratliff, EA was not informed on who I was allowed to claim as a dependant & therefore, several of my prior years' taxes were done incorrectly by her. When I finally realized the situation, I 'pushed' her on the matter. She then produced an IRS Quickfinder answer book, turned to the page regarding dependants, & asked me to "carefully" read the information presented in the Quickfinder. After reading & following the 'If this..., then that...' statements, I informed Marilyn that, from what I had just read, the Quickfinder supported my belief that I should be able to claim a specific dependant on my taxes. Marilyn became even more noticeably annoyed, telling me in no uncertain words that I was wrong. Next, Marilyn quickly got onto the internet & went to the IRS website, & in my opinion, not for actual research but instead in her attempt to prove me wrong & therefore shut me up. After about 20 minutes agressively searching the IRS website, She appparently thought that she found what she was looking for. Marilyn adjusted her computer screen so that I could also see what she had found, which was an example written by the IRS that pertained specifically to my tax inquiry & situation. "Here, listen to this..." Marilyn declared smugly & proceeded to read the example aloud, start to finish. As she read on, her demeanor clearly changed. It was apparent that she finally began to understand that the EXAMPLE she was reading/referencing as provided by the IRS, supported my belief that I was allowed to legally claim the person as a dependant & that I had been correct all along. Knowing that she so earnestly wanted to prove me wrong but was unsuccessful at doing so, it seamed she became frustrated, annoyed, highly irritated, humiliated, demeaned & only the slightest bit embarrassed as well. After everything that had transpired that day in her office, Marilyn could not & would not admit her mistake. She was not pleased with her learning experience & was not excited to move on with her new knowledge. She maintained her 'bad' attitude for the remainder of our meeting & I was not even offered the smallest of appology from her. I was left feeling from her that I, the IDIOT, had questioned the omnipotent professional, & by some strange luck or kink in the cosmos, had gotten away with it.
