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June 2023 by Jaclyn Lewis
If I could, I'd leave 0 stars. I asked for a consultation, then the receptionist laughed at me and my situation before I could get a question out over the phone. I've never experienced someone that unprofessional. It looks like people who got into the door had worse experiences based on the ratings. Don't even try with this business.
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June 2023 by Jaclyn Jones
If I could, I'd leave 0 stars. I asked for a consultation, then the receptionist laughed at me and my situation before I could get a question out over the phone. I've never experienced someone that unprofessional. It looks like people who got into the door had worse experiences based on the ratings. Don't even try with this business.
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May 2023 by Seth Felker
Can’t emphasize enough how thoroughly displeased I am with this tax office. As a CPA and someone who has prepared tax returns in the past, I was unhappy and unimpressed with the level of communication and follow through that we experienced while having our taxes prepared for the 2022 tax year. Having experienced tax busy seasons myself in the past, we tried to be as sympathetic to the cause as we could be by providing all of our tax documents by the 2nd week of February (the soonest they were available) to give them plenty of time to produce our returns in advance of the filing deadline. Our initial request was to have only our personal tax return done but we were also strongarmed into having them prepare a simple tax return for my mother, which I had planned to do myself and which I wasn’t comfortable with from the start (I wish I had listened to my instincts). Along the way, we were told a few different times that we hadn’t provided all documentation needed to complete both returns, when in fact, we submitted all hard copies of our tax documents in person during our client onboarding meeting and posted digital copies of the additional documents requested by Grass during our onboarding meeting to their client portal (which they instructed us to do) within a couple days of our initial meeting. They failed to find or read the scanned documents we posted on their client portal so we called them up when we received email that these documents were missing. We felt it was necessary to constantly coordinate (over the phone and by email) in order to keep things moving and on track and get both tax returns done timely. We believe there’s little chance both tax returns would’ve been completed by the filing deadline had we not done so. By the end of it, they somehow racked up $2,558 in charges for services for our two (not terribly complex) tax returns which, at their blended hourly rate of $210 means they spent 12 combined hours on our returns (they wrote off another $200+ when I called to ask how on earth they spent 4 1/2 hours on my mother’s return when she had nearly no income and very little expenses). The one redeeming quality were a couple of their staff who we did enjoy working with. In particular, their PM Jill is an excellent communicator and was very kind to us and our two year old daughter and their office manager Susan is a delight. Outside of these two exceptional folks, my suggestion would be to take your taxes to H&R Block or a reputable CPA firm (if your tax situation is more complex) or buy TurboTax and do your return yourself, if you value your sanity and a healthy bank account. That’s what we’ll be doing next year.
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April 2023 by Marshall C.
UPDATE APRIL 23, 2023:BETTER LATE THAN NEVER/SELF-EMPLOYMENT SHAFTIn my original review, I said "more on that later" re: my original estimate for my 2018 taxes being $1580, but the actual damage was $655 ($925 less!). I failed to say that that's because I had no more "self-employed" paper route. (side note: newspaper delivery is still legally classified as "self-employment", but it's actually "employee without employee rights") The point is, if you are self-employed, the tax prep fee is going to be higher.INVESTMENTS ALSO WILL DING YAIn this update, I would like to say that my 2019 tax prep fee was $885. The $230 uptick in fees(from $655 in 2018) was probably because that was the year I did my first investment rollover. If you have investments (IRAs, annuities, 401ks,etc.), your tax prep fee will be higher for that as well (especially if you have a slush fund...;). Therefore pay no attention to these outfits that offer to do your taxes for "free." That's only for people with simple tax returns with no self-employment, no investments, no property holdings, or any other complicated financial scenario that could give your accountant headaches!DID COVID "STAY HOME" ORDER GIVE PEOPLE TIME TO DO THEIR OWN TAXES?My 2020 tax prep fee went down again to $540 (a $345 downtick from 2019) possibly related to the initial two week COVID-19 WA state "stay home" order from March 23, 2020, which was extended to May 31, 2020. The 2021 fee was an identical $540 (COVID lag?) But starting this year with the 2022 taxes the tax prep package recommended sending in 1/2 the amount I paid for the 2021 taxes ($540/2 = $270) as an advance deposit. So I sent them the $270 deposit. But when the taxes were ready, I looked at my 2022 printed copy, which showed their fee charges failed to take into account the $270 deposit I already paid. They corrected that when I brought it to their attention. But the total fee still owing was $405. So $405 plus $270 already paid = $675. Why the $135 uptick from the $540 charged in 2021 and 2020? I was told that that their rates were going up. Perhaps the somewhat improved economy since 2020 took away the luxury of time at home to do one's own taxes, and instead allow people the luxury of paying accountants to do their taxes.
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February 2023 by Gadge E.
Wow! Charles Grass is unbelievably unscrupulous. Worse yet, he bullies and discriminates against good people such as women, colored people, and the disabled. Upon first meeting, he misrepresented himself and his fraudulent services. I should have seen the red flags from the beginning when he spoke rather condescendingly to me. I'm a disabled man so I missed many other initial cues. He took advantage of me as a disabled person. That's discrimination. My sister, who had used him separately, had also been swindled by this man. She too had spoken about his condescending manner. Again, this is bigotry.To our detriment, we trusted him with basic taxes. Keep in mind that I said "basic". What a huge mistake. He "nickel and dimed" us with many unauthorized charges. This "nickel and diming" added up to be in the thousands of dollars. He hadn't attempted any communication during this process. When done, his charge was in the thousands of dollars. He charged more for swindling me than I saved in taxes. This is either bigotry or gross incompetence. Either way, it's unacceptable. When I confronted him over the phone, all he had was a pile of excuses a mile high. He then resorted to verbal bullying and condescension. Can you believe that. Mr Grass resorted to bullying a disabled man when confronted with his fraud. This man is incompetent and a bigot.I cannot recommend this crook for any reason.
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March 2022 by Doreen B.
I have been working with Grass and Associates for more than 15 to 18 years the other day I was cut off with a speeding car and someone in their subdivision gave me the worst look and walked in front of me so I had to jam on my brakes. I was there to sign some papers that I should have been signing earlier but couldn't get in. The assistant brought me the papers to sign and decided that she would raise her voice at me to let me know that I should have been in earlier. Well after the two situations that happened to me I was ready to raise my voice also...it ended with me signing the papers and leaving the office, end of story I thought. I received an email text that stated that they were firing me and would no longer be doing my taxes on my business and personal. We pay Grass CPA between 5k to 6k a year to perform these tasks and I guess he does't need my money anymore... I tried to to call their office and Charlie Grass but no answer.. I have his personal phone number .... its interesting in reading some these reviews , there is common thread that they don't return calls and try to settle issues grownup like, so sad to bad... Ruben
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December 2021 by Linda P.
I would never steer anyone toward Charles Grass. Be sure to take note at his recent reviews and notice the trend of bad experiences. I will add mine to that mix. My father passed away in Feb 2019 so I retained a probate lawyer for the legal end of things and retained Charles Grass CPA to do the tax filings necessary for it. It is my first experience with being a executor so when I retained Charles, the expectation is that he will file all the tax forms making sure to meet the deadlines of the state or federal governments have set. Charles, having been a CPA for years in Washington state, I'm sure is aware that there is a 9 month deadline to file or file an extension for the Washington State Estate tax. Unfortunately he neglected to file or file for an extension for my estate. Finally, he filed 16 months later and asked me for the check to pay it and he sent it off. No word about the tardy filing from him so I could be prepared for that. When Washington state came back to me in Dec 2021 (COVID slowed the State processing estates but this did not eliminate any requirements to file in time), Charles told me I would have to pay the penalty and interest which ended up to by $950. I feel he is responsible for the late filing and when I asked him about it, he does not even discuss it, he just told me it needs to be paid. All these tax filings have dates when they are posted and are undisputable. In the end, as executor, it is me that will need to pay it and he knows it so you're stuck. Well, beware that no estate can be closed until Washington State sends the executor a letter saying the state has completed the review of those taxes and they are satisfied with the filing. Don't depend on Grass to help you navigate your Estate because he does not have time nor does not stand behind his work. Go elsewhere!
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December 2021 by Michael C.
We used this company for our 2020 returns and the communication was terrible. On top of that we were due to receive a $150 refund due to an IRS error. Grass CPA charged us $450 in order to communicate with the IRS and we never ended up getting that money back in the end. Terrible communication and customer service along with a lack of transparency regarding their billing practices. Buyer beware!
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November 2021 by Matthew James Briggs
Did not have the requisite knowledge to solve my business tax problem in another state. When I took matters into my own hands and needed the electronic confirmation sheets, I was charged another $130, apparently for the labor involved with reading my email and sending two PDFs to me. I dare not voice a complaint to them or interact with them in any way since I will be charged for every word written or spoken between us.
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October 2021 by Matt B.
Did not have the requisite knowledge to solve my business tax problem in another state. When I took matters into my own hands and needed the electronic confirmation sheets, I was charged another $130, apparently for the labor involved with reading my email and sending two PDFs to me. I dare not voice a complaint to them or interact with them in any way since I will be charged for every word written or spoken between us.
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June 2020 by Anna C.
My husband and I have been clients of Charlie since 2005. He and his staff have taken excellent care of us over the years, through all kinds of life changes. They are thorough and attentive, and we feel that our finances are very secure under Charlie's watch. Thanks Charlie!
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April 2020 by erik l.
Grass CPA and Associates have been my go-to for tax planning purposes since beginning my small business venture in 2015. The fact is when I first started, I was so new to the private sector that I do not think I would have survived for as long as I have without Grass CPA. The fact is, Charlie and his team held my hand the entire time and never complained. And when I was months late in paying their office for services, they worked with me reasonably. I have also known Charlie Grass personally for over a decade. He has become a friend over the years and I can say that he is an even better human being as I know he is passionate about local homeless youth and poverty and organizes outings and donates routinely to these causes. Charlie Grass is professional, methodical, ethical and timely. He and his team have never led me astray. Ever. I am not the most organized with paperwork, receipts, taxes, and Charlie and his team were never remiss in reminding me of looming deadlines that I needed to be aware of. Charlie Grass has always been eager to answer all my questions over the years. He and his office have always been there to help in keeping my records straight, keeping up with my taxes, and he is always accessible and friendly to me no matter how urgent my issue is. I would strongly recommend Grass CPS and Associates to handle any and all of your tax planning purposes! Erik Larson, PI, LICSW, Infinium Investigations.
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March 2020 by Lance M.
I have worked with Charlie and his team for many years. He is an exceptionally well-qualified tax accountant and CPA, providing top-notch service and support. He is always there with the answer and tells you if he has to research your question. He is friendly, helpful and his staff is right there when you need them. I highly recommend him for all your tax and accounting needs.
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March 2020 by Lindsay U.
We hired Grass Associates in Renton after starting our 1st business. When we first hired them we explained our lack of knowledge of what taxes are due and when and just basically that we needed help in order to make sure we are in compliance. We also had moved states and had paid for a merge to take 2 state UBIs and become 1 from an attorney before hiring Grass. After our lengthy sign up process and conversations with Grass CPA they were to take on our LLC as thier client, sort through the merge, closing the outstanding UBI and eliminating need for double filings, provide payroll services, and were responsible for all our monthly, quarterly, and multiple yearly filings. Literally nothing was ever done either at all, on time, and on multiple occasions the 1st time I ever heard we were delinquent and past due on filing was from the IRS or Department of Treasury contacting me to let me know I needed to file. They never handled the merge at all. The IRS and Department of Treasury both contacted me expecting late filings from the old UBI and I had to close them and handle them all myself after angry phone calls from the government. Our monthly excise taxes were never mentioned by Grass CPA. I recieved a call about our Excise taxes from the IRS requesting monthly filings that I didnt know needed to be filed, so I called Grass and they filled them. 5 months all at once. All late with late fees. All hitting our account at once causing hardship. Grass took 0 responsibility for the fact that they are our accountant. An accountant we specifically asked to guide us on what's required of us so we wouldnt be in these situations. Our IRS Q2 quarterly filings were late, Q3 was efiled the day it was due and on that day I recieved an email saying that it had been efiled but I needed to pick up the paper copy and payment slip and a postmarked envelope to mail in payment. Okay. It's a 45 minute drive so I asked it to be mailed to us. I did not send that paper copy and payment to the IRS obviously on the day it was due. It took about 3 weeks actually. I thought it had been efiled on time and didn't know there would be an over 500$ flat fee caused by not having that envelope literally in the mail on the day she emailed me and said to pick it up. Had I known that, had I had more than 4 hours notice to pick it up, had I known the importance of that, I would have surely made that a priority. Most recently, I contacted Grass CPA on March 3rd asking about our yearly taxes which I thought were due April 15th. They responded to tell me (it would be nice if they contacted me ever to keep us on track and aware of upcoming deadlines) that we actually have Partnership taxes due on March 15th before our April 15th taxes are due. K so we have a week and half to get in there together, arrange taxes, and get them filed. We went in and met with Grass to do that. It is now the 18th, i contacted them on the 15th to make sure they were filed, they responded to me today saying they sent an email, which they did not, telling me on the 15th that we needed to come back in and approve and sign the taxes before they could be filed and that they filed for an extension, duration unknown to us, and so now we not only are late on those, need to go back to their office but now, just newly stated today, they will require the fees for thier past services they say is about 4 thousand dollars in order to file them. Late fees directly caused by them with 0 fault of our own is I'd estimate to be about 900$, plus they've caused financial hardship to our business, we've actually had to close. They've literally done nothing they've said they would and guided us 0. They are rude, condescending, completely negligent, wont even acknowledge thier responsibility as our accountant for any guidance, deadlines, fees, exc. I cant even get them on the phone anymore. I would have been better off googling taxes I'm responsible for as an LLC and winging it. Now I am faced with getting my tax documents to rush to file partnership taxes with a new fir
