Tax Samaritan
Is This Your Business?Author: Kaitlyn Short
Tax Samaritan, founded in 1997, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is run by enrolled agent Randall Brody and offers a variety of tax preparation, tax resolution, and wealth management services. The company is also a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA). Tax Samaritan is not a member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS), or the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP). The company can remotely service clients from all over the world.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Tax Filing Process
- Tax Services
- Experienced Staff
- Refer-A-Friend
- Educational Resources
- Satisfaction Guarantee
Tax Filing Process
The tax filing process operates with the following five steps:
Complete the tax quote questionnaire: The questionnaire helps the company analyze the client's situation, and complete an engagement letter for the client's review. This engagement letter explains the scope of the work to be performed, and the costs for services. Customers can seek help on the questionnaire through Skype Assistant, or by phone.
Review/sign the engagement letter: Clients can expect an invoice after they sign the engagement letter. After paying 50 percent of the quoted fee upfront, the company sets up a collaboration portal that the client has access to for all documents that need to be uploaded.
Prepare the tax return: This stage is where the client prepares all necessary documents, and uploads them to the portal. Clients that don't have access to a scanner can fax or mail them in.
Review the return: The company will prepare the return and have it ready. From there, the other 50 percent of the invoice is due. After payment, Tax Samaritan will send a secure draft of the tax return to the portal.
Send the returns: Once the client indicates they are satisfied with the draft, it is e-filed to the IRS or states.
Tax Services
Customers can come to the company for a variety of tax services, including help with tax audits, back tax returns, back taxes owed, IRS liens, IRS levies, and IRS wage garnishments.
Experienced Staff
Tax Samaritan utilizes a team of enrolled agents with over 25 years of experience in the tax prep and representation industry. Customers can also expect free audit support and guidance from an enrolled agent.
Refer-A-Friend
If you refer a friend and your friend becomes a new customer, he or she will receive a $50 credit toward tax preparation or representation fees. Additionally, the client who referred will receive $25 in cash, and a $50 rewards voucher for the next scheduled tax service. There is no limit to how many rewards a client can receive from referring friends. Cash rewards are mostly made through PayPal, and start once the new customer signs an engagement letter, and pays the initial fee.
Educational Resources
The company provides an educational blog on multiple tax industry topics, and every article is written by an enrolled agent. Articles provide specific tax tips, as well as pitfalls to avoid.
Satisfaction Guarantee
Customers who are not satisfied with their experience can request a refund for all collected fees under Tax Samaritan's satisfaction guarantee. Refund requests must be submitted within 15 days of payment, or before clients are presented a plan for review (whichever is first). Representation cases are not guaranteed a refund. The company also guarantees accuracy: if a client has to pay any IRS or state penalties because of a Tax Samaritan error, the company will pay the fee if the mistake is reported within 10 days.
The Bad
- Unclear State Availability
- Lacking Team Information
- Limited Professional Membership
- Website Lacks Information
- No Specific Pricing Information
Unclear State Availability
It is slightly unclear which services can be performed remotely, and which cannot. The company's website posts a disclaimer that Tax Samaritan's founder and lead enrolled agent Randall Brody is only registered to transact business with clients in NV, CO, and VA.
Lacking Team Information
Tax Samaritan does not provide a lot of background information on its team of tax professionals. In fact, the only person the website includes information on is the founder and president, Randall Brody. It is unclear whether or not Tax Samaritan has any CPAs or tax attorneys on the team; however, the company does work with enrolled agents who have 25 years of combined experience in the tax industry. Top companies in the industry usually have at least one CPA and tax attorney on staff, in addition to an enrolled agent.
Limited Professional Membership
Tax Samaritan lacks membership to the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS), and the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP).
Website Lacks Information
Though the website is pretty comprehensive in explaining services, it does lack information in a few key areas. First, it is unclear if the company can help businesses with their tax issues. Tax Samaritan does not advertise assisting with asset seizures, or if tax services operate with a minimum tax debt requirement.
No Specific Pricing Information
Tax Samaritan works with a flat fee, and the amount is determined on the value provided. Flat fees are based on one's unique filing requirements. The company does not utilize a one-size-fits-all approach, and it does not provide any specific pricing or fee information.
The Bottom Line
Tax Samaritan works with enrolled agents to assist taxpayers from all over the world. It not only helps with tax issues, but also wealth management, and tax preparation. Customers can enjoy a satisfaction and accuracy guarantee, and the company provides helpful resources written by enrolled agents. It is unclear whether or not Tax Samaritan has CPAs, or enrolled agents on staff. Additionally, the website provides vague pricing information. We recommend comparing Tax Samaritan to other top companies.
