Pocomoke tax service suspended by Franchot

The state of Maryland is no longer accepting tax returns filed by more than 60 tax prep services. Included Thursday in Comptroller Peter Franchot’s latest round of 25 suspended locations, Charles Multi Services of Pocomoke City.

“we’re taking action because we’re fed up with it and it’s becoming a bigger problem,” said Franchot.

We’re told the reason is suspicious filings. Comptroller Franchot cites Charles Multi Services and other tax preparers for filing returns with dishonest information. Franchot’s office uses a system triggered by things like false deductions and data inconsistent with Maryland records. So far this tax season, it’s discovered 61 suspicious preparers. Franchot told 47 ABC, “We have asked each of those 61 tax preparers to come and meet with us and some of them have scheduled meetings and none of them showed up,”

Anyone who had their taxes handled by any of the suspended preparers will now have to wait for refunds.

Franchot added, “Once we begin to look at these questionable returns, it’s the taxpayer left holding the bag at the end of the day,”

Unfortunately, those taxpayers will keep waiting, either until the suspended service provides proof that the numbers are correct and the suspension is lifted or until the state gets to them. Franchot says there are suspicious things to look out for when dealing with tax preparers. First, if the tax preparer doesn’t sign the return. Second, make sure your preparer’s tax ID number is placed on the return not yours. Lastly, if your preparer suggests having the refund mailed to them and not you that’s a huge red flag.

We reached out to Charles Multi Services for comment. The owner, Waldo Charles, told us that his business had not been made aware of the suspension which took effect this afternoon.

The Comptroller’s Office says they notified all the businesses in question today via fax and mail before the information was released.

Upon talking to us Waldo said he had called the comptrollers office and was unable to make any progress on resolving the matter.

Here are the other tax services that were also suspended Thursday afternoon:

• Fachel Tax Service, Baltimore, Md.
• Swift Tax Service, Washington, D.C.
• Phenomenal Tax Service Corp., Baltimore, Md.
• Irene’s Taxes, Oxon Hill, Md.
• TA Income Tax Service, Baltimore, Md.
• JMD Tax Service, Baltimore Md.
• Marcjeze Tax Services, Baltimore, Md.
• Bodmars Tax Service, Baltimore, Md.
• MK Tax Services and Investment LLC, Baltimore, Md.
• Swift Pro Tax Service, 10 Pine Cone Court, Nottingham, Md.
• Griffin Financial, Oxon Hill, Md.
• Neighborhood Tax Services, aka Royal Auto Sales N Neighborhood Tax or People Tax Services Baltimore Md.
• Chimex Tax Service, Baltimore, Md.
• Tax Central USA, Forest Heights, Md.
• J & J Tax Service, Accokeek, Md.
• The Tax Store 101 LLC, Bowie, Md.
• Broadview Advisors and Co., Inc., Silver Spring, Md.
• Evaniel Francois, 2124 Airport Road, Ste. 109, Naples, Fla.
• Eskindes Accounting and Tax LLC, Douglasville, Ga.
• Verita’s Efile Service Inc., Greensboro, N.C. and Baltimore, Md.
• Jovan LLC, Baltimore, Md.