CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Several people have contacted Channel 9 after they hired a Charlotte tax preparer to do their taxes last year, but the company never did the work and now they can’t even find the business.
Trina White says she used CentraTAX in northeast Charlotte for years and never had a problem until last spring.
“At the beginning, someone did answer the phone and they informed me that in three days I would get a phone call to complete my taxes. And, needless to say, I never received a call. After then, no response,” White said.
White said she tried calling, emailing and going to the office, but she couldn’t get in touch with anyone.
White and other customers are worried about penalties and say they’re scrambling to have a new tax preparer finish their 2020 taxes and do their 2021 ones.
“I’m going to take them to another tax service, and so now it’s going to be double the amount,” White said. “I’m hurt, very hurt. I want everyone to be aware, be cautious if you have to drop off your taxes. Do your research. Be cautious.”
Another CentraTAX customer emailed Action 9 saying he dropped off his 2020 taxes in February last year and never heard back.
Another customer told Action 9 she emailed the company her tax information last March and she hasn’t been able to talk to a real person since May.
Two other people reported the business to the North Carolina Attorney General’s office.
Some complained to the Better Business Bureau, which at last check, gave CentraTAX an “F” rating.
CentraTAX used to be in an office park in University City, but it moved. No one that Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke spoke with knows where the business moved to.
According to N.C. Secretary of State records, CentraTAX’s business is still active. But when Stoogenke called the business, the mailbox was full. Stoogenke emailed the company as well. No one responded in time for this report.
Advice from Action 9
No matter what tax preparer you use:
- It’s your responsibility to make sure your taxes are done on time. The government does not give you a pass if your tax preparer disappears.
- Do your research and choose the business wisely.
- If it’s getting close to Tax Day, you may need to have another tax preparer take over, so make sure you have copies of all your documents.
If you need to file a complaint against a business and possibly get reimbursed for the money the company cost you, click here to get started.
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