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June 7, 2019
Question

Tax Refund - Santa Barbara Tax Group - Tax Products Group

  • June 7, 2019
  • 8 replies
  • 0 views

I will never use your service again.  This laundering of tax payer's refunds through Santa Barbara Tax Group is incomprehensible.  I will be looking at options of filing a class action lawsuit against both you and Santa Barbara Tax group for withholding my tax refund.  If your website would have simply stated prior to filing that, if you choose to have your fees deducted out of your refund, you may be subject to additional delays to receiving your refund I would not have a problem with your service.  I would have like to have known that I would have been better off paying for my fees through a credit card and have the IRS deposit my refund directly into my account.  Instead, i chose (unknowingly) that my refund would be re-routed to the Santa Barbara Tax Group to be withheld because they will release my refund as they see fit.  In fact, they told me my refund is being withheld because 'further investigation was necessary'.  If this was the case Tax Products Group or Santa Barbara Tax Group why wasn't I notified?  Why did I have to track down this group and dial 4 different 800 numbers to get somebody on the phone.  And why, most importantly, have you not given me a specific reason on why your still withholding my refund that the IRS has already approved and sent?  This practice is unacceptable, and as a banker, I have to assume this group is pooling millions of refunds of taxpayers' money and earning profits while they hold on to these refunds longer than necessary.  Unacceptable Turbo Tax.  The disclosures on deducting fees are misleading and not clear which is not an acceptable practice.  I have notified the CFPB and will look at other actions necessary to ensure that this practice stops and that you are clearer with the option of simply 'having fees deducted' from your refund.

8 replies

June 7, 2019
Did you ever get your funds released or follow up on class action lawsuit? I am having the same problem, even after late filing, and am interested in joining in a suit.
June 7, 2019
Same here!  IRS sent my refund to them on September 27.  They now say there is a delay and I need to upload my driver's license.  Will never use turbotax again!
Employee
June 7, 2019
You can avoid dealing with them entirely by paying your TT fees with a debit or credit card.
Employee
June 7, 2019
and avoided the extra charge for that service as well
June 7, 2019
I am currently going through the exact same issue. If I had known all of this I would of paid the fees upfront.
June 7, 2019
I would be interested in joining your class action suit.
June 7, 2019
You do agree to it actually. If you read your print out you will find it. You actually can't even go past it when you want to pay your fees with your IRS refund. You might want to take a look at that again. TurboTax is a self-prepared software. They don't handle any funds from the IRS what so ever. That is why it is cheaper to use the products than going to someone to prepare it for you.
June 7, 2019

I recommend filing a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of California. Intuit and Santa Barbara Bank are both California companies, and an investigation is in order.  Filing a complaint is quick and easy - just a brief on line form. Here is the link.

https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company

June 7, 2019
Santa Barbara Tax Products Group issued our refund for the incorrect amount. I called the IRS they confirmed the correct amount of my refund was submitted, I cannot believe with all the problems Turbo Tax users have had with this bank, you continue to use them! I will be filing complaints with every regulatory entity available. The internet is flooded with complaints on this, even Turbo Tax forums! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! OTHERS SHOULD DO THE SAME! MAKE SURE TURBO TAX IS INCLUDED IN YOUR COMPLAINT FOR USING THEM!

Will be using refund by mail next time & after 10+ year of using Turbo Tax I will not be using it any more

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