What action can I take against an income tax preparation agent?

I filed for an tax extension for the year 2007 this April 2008. I contacted a Jackson Hewitt agent to prepare my taxes. After he filed my taxes, I paid him his fees and I assumed, everything is done. However, I was contacted my the IRS to provide additional documents regarding one of the forms. I have been trying to contact him for a month now and he has not contacted me back yet. I asked his colleague to pass on my message but he still has to call me back. His colleague informed me that he has informed him (my agent) about it several times about my calls. I still have not replied to the IRS yet and I would like to get done with my paperwork first and then deal with my agent for his unprofessional attitude. Does anyone know what course of action I can take to get my job done?

Public Comments

1. A competent tax preparer would provide you with all your original documents, and the documents the IRS wants should be in there. Sometimes there are schedules or something that explain a line item. If you return was mailed in, perhaps that schedule did not get included. A copy of that schedule should be in your copy of your tax return. You may try looking at your documentation and seeing if you can find the information the IRS is looking for. Failing that, I would show up at the JH doorstep and request his assistance in person. It may be that he is working an a complicated audit and sees your need as minor (Tax preparers have much less fear of the IRS than the general public does) and feels it can wait. Or it may be that he is just blowing you off. Or it may be that he is a part-time tax preparer and has a full time job and works two jobs during tax season. If this is the case, then ask to speak to his supervisor. If your preparer is not available to help you, then someone in that JH office should be able to help you!
2. What additional documents are requested and why can't you provide them? It is YOUR taxes.
3. You should of read your letter from IRS and immediately provided the information requested, why do you need the tax preparer to do it for you. Isn't what IRS requesting in your copy, the tax preparer filed you tax return with the information you provided him. So now make a copy of what ever IRS is asking for and mail it to them. USUALLY IRS gives you 30 days to respond if no respond is received within the 30 days then they assess your tax return with out the information requested and you could OWE IRS money. Just like you went to him to file your return then go to the office and someone there can assist you.
4. If they're simply asking for more documentation, you probably don't have much to worry about if you were honest with what you gave your tax preparer. But that delay is certainly unprofessional. As was suggested by someone else, ask for a supervisor to help you with your immediate problem. And look for someone else to do your taxes next year.
5. Did he have the forms or you for the additional documents? You can report him to the licensing board. In California it is CTEC. You can also report to the Better Business Bureau