November 2023 by Laurie M
Allegedly TABS specializes in preparing returns for people who work overseas, such as PMCs, oil rig and merchant marine workers. My husband was referred to TABS by a colleague. I am extremely upset with TABS. On our intake client sheet, we were asked to provide information on how we would like any IRS refunds handled. We clearly stated we would like refunds to be direct deposited, as they have been for the past 15 years, and provided the account information, included a void check.
At no time did Ruth or any of her staff discuss with us, or get our approval, to leave the "direct deposit" box on our refunds blank, and instead decide that it was appropriate to have the IRS send us paper checks, even though we live overseas, and we expressly stated we wanted direct deposit.
I was then sent an email that "as per previous correspondence" that the firm had decided to have the IRS send us a paper check, and were not even going to bother transcribing the information from our void check to our return - I guess that was too much to ask!
When I explained they did not have the right to ignore our instructions to them, the answer I got back was it was a "miscommunication error" and to submit a good US address to have a "trusted friend or relative receive and deposit our refund for us in about 16 weeks".
Completely unacceptable. I refuse to do business with people who ignore client's instructions, and then refuse to rectify the situation to the client's satisfaction, and specific written instructions to them.
I do not recommend this firm to anyone who works overseas and may not have a "trusted friend or relative" stateside. TABS doesn't care about your situation.
