Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California

overcharged by CPA
In 2005 hired ''friend of friend'' CPA. Was informed of hourly rate but not given estimate for services. spent 1/2 time on social chatting. Messed up 2005 return & amended return so badly that I'm still trying to fix it w/ iRS and have spent an additional $750 on another CPA t help figure it out. Next year, I balked at using him but he told me services should be less than 2005 ($900+) because muchof time was spent on setting up account. When I stopped byto pick up ''06 return, I told him repeatedly I had to leave asao to pick up kids. Finally gave me bill for over $4500. I was speechless, he wanted it all then but 1) had to think about it & 2) didn't have $$ at time. He gave me a few months to pay. Finally reminded him he was supposed to inform me if bill was getting close to $900 of previous year and that I was witholding $1800 of last payment after getting 2nd opinions that fee was outrageous. He threatened to put bill in collections unless I paid 1/2 of remaing $1800. I did. I'm still dealing w./IRS because the numbers (Schedule D) he used were ludicrous even though we provided him w/ detailed spreadsheet. In order tofigure out what IRS wanted I asked him for copied of 05 and 06 returns. He told me I'd have to pay $100 ea.

Asked on 4/18/08, 8:23 pm

Robert L. Bennett Law offices of Robert L. Bennett

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Re: overcharged by CPA

You can sue anybody. Whether you can win is the question.

It would help here to have written promises that he broke, as well as witnesses.

Otherwise, you will have trouble winning.

Answered on 4/19/08, 9:20 pm

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