[JenM76]

Today I just heard this radio spot for H&R Block where they question going to your CPA to get your taxes done. Ok, granted, most CPA’s do not specialize in completing tax returns. No harm with that statement. However, it goes on to talk about if you get to sit there while they do it, who is REALLY completing your return, and (this one really set me off) “will they stand up and defend your return in the event of an audit” (something like that). I almost wrecked my car I was so angry. So, maybe the actual CPA won’t be the one doing your return. It probably goes to one of the other accountants, or tax return specialists, in the office. Granted. BUT, the CPA does review and sign off on it. Especially if they are especially difficult. And, yes, you can and do schedule sit-down time at the CPA firm to go over your information in order to compile the return. Finally, yes your CPA will stand up for you and your return in the event of an audit.

How can they get away with saying this stuff? Ugh..so mad.

Ok, back to studying my favorite FAR.

BEC 2/25/2016 <70 (GRRRRRRR) - Retake in early 2017
FAR 5/31/2016
AUD 8/25/2016
REG 10/27/2016

[Stilgoin]

I think we all forget- taxes seem easy for us. We all have had multiple classes and years of experience with difficult concepts. The average person knows very little about the subject. I am sad that people get scammed so easily by certain tax organizations, but at the same time, those people are paying someone else so they don’t have to understand. I think paid preparers need some sort of qualification in order to do taxes. That might cut down on the hacks. Taxes are big business.

I should add, in my rural area, everyone says- So what do CPAs do, taxes? I want to scream every time!!! Yes, I went to school for 6 years and suffered through 600 hours of studying for over 16 hours of exams so I can do the same thing people at H and R Block train for two weeks to do!!! :-/

Stilgoin, CPA

There are enough critics. Be an encourager

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[How many letters do you need]

I HATE H&R block, and don't even do taxes. Every time I hear of somebody who says they want to go to H&R block I can't help but ask why? WHY go to a less trained tax preparer just using some software that you can pick up for 20 bucks, and pay the same price as you would an independent CPA? Are they using software too, of course they are. But you get CPA eyeballs on your return and it's basically the same price. H&R block in my opinion are only a half step above con artists ripping people off who don't know any better. Why would you even want to sit there and waste your time? Drop your shit off at a CPA and he calls you when it's done. So easy. Sorry…H&R block thing just hit a nerve…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[jjordan022]

My favorite is the H&R block commercials endorsed by Anthony Davis (NBA player). Like he's really getting his taxes done at the block. Get outta here with that nonsense.

AUD - 75
REG - 79
BEC - 79
FAR - August

[How many letters do you need]

Hahaha Jordan so true. You notice they don't put super models in Mcdonalds commercials. Carl's Junior does use extremely hot women for its commercials of its foul disgusting good but it's done ironically. Nobody believes those women eat that shit…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Chris]

My biggest pet peeve with H&R Block is the old guy who yells, “It's not tax season, it's REFUND SEASON!”

As soon as people hear that they lose their minds when their refund isn't the same or their relative got a bigger refund or don't qualify for something…

It's a disservice to our citizens to have no formal education on our basic tax code because they get their hopes up by different organizations. It always starts with the education system.

AUD - 86
BEC - 77
FAR - 77
REG - 88

Now I could let these dream killers kill my self-esteem or use my arrogance as the steam to power my dreams.

Licensed in NH. Working in MA.

 

NH CPA
REG: 07/03/2014 - 88
AUD: 08/30/2014 - 73 - Retake 10/16/14 - 86
BEC: 05/31/2015 - 77
FAR: 08/08/2015 - 64 - Retake 11/23/15 - 77

Becker*NINJA Notes/MCQ*

Now I could let these dream killers kill my self-esteem
Or use my arrogance as the steam to power my dreams ~ Kanye West

[Zyx]

https://www.accountingweb.com/aa/standards/us-supreme-court-bumps-hr-block-case-up-to-federal-level
I found this interesting. One of my accounting classmates went to H&R block to check how it was like since our tax professor hated this compant. She was told to claim her cat's med expenses because her cat got cancer! It was a true story!

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 80
REG - 77

zyx

REG: 77 x2
BEC: 81 x3
FAR: 68 retake 10/1
AUD: 8/27

[Tncincy]

Tax season bring about some hilarious stories…..speaking of H&R block ads, Anthony Davis has to be an idiot if he is going to H&r Block to get his taxes done because he can cut in half what he pays the other guy……What in the world, then the H&R Block guy is driving the charger or the nice car and he (Davis) is riding…..in the other ad, they are cutting across the grass instead of walking on the side walk. That commercial aggravates me every time they play it during march madness….(I like background basketball games, while studying)..

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[hasy]

@stilgoin, I start up this topic again to express the sentiment about how MOST people really don't know how to do their taxes. EVEN if with HOW SIMPLE turbo tax BREAKS it down for everyone. They still don't understand. I was lying there and watching my sister trying to claim an exemption that she doesn't qualify for. Like really? How MUCH SIMPLER does turbotax have to BREAK it DOWN so you would understand? /rant over.

But yes, taxes may be simple for us. It's a different story for anyone who's never taken a tax class.

AUD - 83
BEC - 80
FAR - 83
REG - 78

BEC - 80 (Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB)

FAR - 72; 83 (Roger + NINJA MCQ)

AUD - 83 (Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB)

REG - 52; 78 (Roger + NINJA MCQ)

Ethics - 68, 96 (how I dislike you)
-
This forum is more addictive than drugs. Still returning after licensure.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Missy]

I disagree Hasy. I did my own taxes for 15 years with no more than a high school education, BEFORE TurboTax existed. I took the time to read the instructions for each line so I knew very well what I did and did not qualify for. If anybody at all can't do a personal return they're lazy or an idiot.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Andyred04]

“lazy or an idiot”. Ha! You just described about 65% of the current American population. No wonder they pay tax preparers the big bucks!

FAR 80
REG 87
BEC 87
AUD 96

Primarily Gleim, supplemented with Ninja Notes & Ninja MCQs

Missouri CPA as of January, 2017

FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
AUD: 8/27/16

PA Candidate

[Jeff01234567]

Ugh, this commercial infuriates me so much.

I never had any negative feelings about H&R Block until I heard this ad on the radio.

The way they bash on CPA's, like they think their own unlicensed and uncertified tax preparers are more qualified than us.

Especially the part about standing up for you in an IRS audit. If I recall, under Circular 230 only EA's, CPA's, and tax attorneys are allowed to practice before the IRS. H&R Block employs none of those.

Someone needs to file a lawsuit about false advertising.

BEC - 83 Oct 23
FAR - 84 Jan 8
AUD - 81 Feb 26
REG - 84 May 23

[Missy]

It's not at all “false advertising”, maybe misleading but that's advertising in general. The question is not “CAN your CPA represent you in an audit?” But “Will they?” Yeah they will if you pay them to. Not as part of the fee you paid when you had your taxes prepared. Yes they hire both CPA's and EA's. Most seasonal employees are neither but they have full time year round staff who are, and that's who goes on the audit. It's funny that most cpa candidates and new CPA's are more concerned with the McTax franchises than experienced CPA's who frankly don't do many returns simple enough for block, their bread and butter is more complex returns and businesses. Most taxpayer's are able to do their own returns and go it alone in an audit. You don't need a CPA OR Block in most cases.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

I worked for Jackson Hewitt when I first came to the US since they offered a free class and I wanted to learn about american taxation. I enjoyed learning about taxes and got some really good experience.

What I disliked from that experience was the push to sell people all these “Rapid Refund” products – people that made approx $20,000 – $30,000 a year were being charged hundreds to receive their refund “faster”.

It would cost them over $100 to get their refund a day or two earlier. Feeling bad for people, I would make sure I explained the difference.

That H&R Block advertising aggravates me every time as well.

[Skynet]

CPAbefore40 – That “Rapid Refund” is not a refund and is ABSOLUTELY MISLEADING to customers. It's actually an RAL (Refund Anticipation Loan) based on what your estimated refund might be, and they make a killing of that. What the customers don't know too is that if your actual refund is different than what the RAL is, then they are liable for the difference.

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[Anonymous]

@ Skynet

Exactly!! Even after I would explain the product and put it in layman terms for them, people were incredulous because “it was on TV”, advertising had done it's job.

In their mind, it was a “very fast” way of getting their money (minus a few hundreds!). I was shocked to see that many families that did not make much and would qualify for EIC and still would purchase the product.

It was because of that experience that one day (when I do not have to work for a living 🙂 ) I will teach elementary accounting and tax to high school kids so that they are hopefully not easily fooled into these types of products.

[Author]

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