Taxpayer Assistance Program

The Taxpayer Assistance Program initially contacted me in December 2011. I’m not sure how they found me, but they did. They had sent me a letter stating that I was entitled to a refund for overpaid property taxes and that their clients usually average a refund in the amount of $ 2,900. Their letter stated that they had an A+ grade on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). I was curious and looked them up and they were right… an A+! In exchange for their services, I would have to give ¹⁄₃ of my payment to the company. I thought it was a good deal, but I was still skeptical… especially since I had not seen any Unilocal reviews on this company. Their letter stated «We will continue to mail you until we hear from you because we are dedicated to serving Cook County homeowners by aiding them in the recovery of these funds.» So I called their bluff by waiting for another letter… I didn’t think anything of this company again until…
… the Taxpayer Assistance Program contacted me again in April 2012. This time their letter stated that their clients last year averaged a refund in the amount of $ 2,000. That’s $ 900 less than the last letter, but still a good amount of a refund. I checked the BBB again and they still had an A+ rating. So I was finally persuaded, signed the paperwork and had the Taxpayer Assistance Program start the refund process for me.
Shortly after sending in my letter, I got a phone call from the Taxpayer Assistance Program telling me the they had received my request to process my property tax refund. They wanted to let me know that they were going to get started on the paperwork but that they needed to meet me so that I could sign all the paperwork for the refund. They offered me the option of coming into their office or having one of them employees meet me at my home. Of course I opted for the easiest and laziest option for me. We scheduled a meeting in April 2012.
On the day of my appointment, someone from the Taxpayer Assistance Program appeared at my home. She showed me her credentials so I knew she was legitimate. She explained the process to me very clearly and even brought with her a xerox copier to make a copy of my driver’s license! I was impressed. I was told that it would take 120 days from the time they mailed my paperwork for me to receive my refund.
On May 10, 2012, I received a copy of all the documents I had signed with Taxpayer Assistance Program. And on July 26, 2012, I received my refund (must faster than the 120 days quoted).
I’m disappointed that my refund was not very large. I only received about $ 350 in return and not the thousands that was mentioned in the Taxpayer Assistance Program letter. Still, any money is better than no money and the company was very professional and prompt with their service.
I had realized that the reason why I was due money was because I did not file the annual tax exemption form before paying my annual property tax bill. I think the statutory limitation for filing a Certificate of Error with Cook County for a refund is five years back. So if you find yourself in this situation, where you have never filed a tax exemption in previous years, I recommend you contacting this company. They will at least get you some money back, if not all of it.
I’m sure with enough research, I might be able to fill out the forms myself. I’d also have to find someone to notarize my forms too since Taxpayer Assistance Program did all that for me. Eh, or maybe I’ll just be lazy and have Taxpayer Assistance Program do everything for me if this happens again!