What can I do about a tax preparer who will not return my w2's and receipts?

Question

I took several yrs of back taxes to a preparer in 2006. I was told they would start with yrs 2005, 2004 & 2003. All had a refund. I was also eligible to receive a refund for 2002 but they did not file it until 2007 making me miss out on $8,000. 2005 was returned by IRS because unemployment w2 was missing. (they did have the w2 because I saw it on her messy desk and asked her to not misplace it) Not including it caused a recalculation to which I now owe $1,500. I could never get a prompt return call about questions I had. The last time I went to the office I was greeted with the overwhelming smell of marijuana. I decided I no longer wanted to do business with them and asked for the remaining years (w2s, receipts)they had not done to be returned to me. After 3 certified letters and prepaid envelopes they will not respond or return my documents.

Answer 1

You may need to get a lawyer.

j

Answer 2

The preparer is supposed to return your W-2s.  However, you can get copies from the IRS and that is what you should do.

The missing document for 2005 was a mistake but you still owe the tax anyway, plus the return was late when you gave it to the preparer.  So there is no recourse for 2005.

Reporting the preparer for failing to return the W2s isn't going to mean much, since those documents are available to you.  But report her anyway, and keep nagging especially if you owe state taxes.  The IRS won't have that information.