James Associates

Rich James has been doing my taxes for a few years and has helped me through some complicated returns. Never had an issue with quality or response time.

Don’t go here. I went in with a very specific question for my 2013 returns. The associate I worked with assured me that he was an expert in that specific subject matter and said he would take care of it. I had a pleasant first interaction with the accountant and I trusted him.
He filed my taxes quickly and got my refund but he did not address the issue I had requested. When I called in and connected with the CPA he told me he would do an addendum on my taxes in the summer. I called between 15 – 20 times from June — November and he kept saying he would do it the next week. I finally gave up and I’m paying someone else to clean up the mess.
My biggest gripe is that I was repeatedly told by the accountant that he would take care of it. And he never did.

I reviewed James Associates in 2011. I’ve been a client for more than 15 years, except for a brief 2 year period when I gave my taxes to a ‘friend’ who opened her own accounting business. How to lose a friend .and. get my taxes erroneously filled out. I read Bim E’s review, and felt I had to respond. This person said she had SEVEN returns filled out, in TWENTY minutes (highly improbable!), and it cost her over $ 150. Seriously $ 150, and she’s complaining about cost, and service? If you took 7 returns anywhere it would have cost double or triple… Well, I’m not an accountant but something about that story doesn’t add up! I’ll repeat what I mentioned in earlier review — James Associates rates are conservative. I am self-​employed and own three investment properties. I am happy with the service I receive, and I know I would be paying double anywhere else. James Assoc. can count me in as a client for as long as I remain local!

Woohoo ! As good as it gets!!! Honestly, I don’t think you can find friendlier more efficient people than you can with James Associates. I honestly can tell you how great Stephanie and Charlie have been to me over the years. I purchased a restaurant over 2 years ago, and let’s just say it had its issues so to speak… Anyway, after sitting with Charlie and dealing with Stephanie every issue was quickly resolved. I can’t recommend them enough… Great people and a great location if you want to eat your face off at the highland kitchen…

Ive been going to Rich for years and he is GREAT. I am clueless and a spaz when it comes to this stuff and he has been such a great helping hand. I now live an hour away but still travel to have him do my taxes because I trust him to do it right — cheers~

I’ve had my taxes prepared by James Associates for 22 years. Every year I receive prompt service and precise preparation. I trust Charles Sapochetti and he’s never done me wrong– as others have stated, I find everyone at James Associates to be personable and attentive. I, too, wouldn’t go anywhere else and I am thankful to have found such a trustworthy business to represent me. Highly recommend.

Been going to them for over 20 years! Never an issue. I wouldnt go to anybody else

I have been working with Rich for five + years. He is pleasant and easy to work with. My taxes are simple but he does a great job and the price is good. The hours are very good, comparable to an HR Block type place.

Last year, I went to HR Block and was thoroughly discusted by their lack of knowledge and ability to grasp the fact that I’ve never lived in Virginia, so I wanted to try a «little guy» this year.
HUGE MISTAKE.
I briefly researched James Associates online prior to going in for tax services. They weren’t my first or second choice, but I needed to get my information to the government in a timely manner. Unilocal had mixed reviews about James Associates, but I risked it anyway.
They were able to see me immediately when I called to make an appointment and I went in to meet with Richard H. James for tax advice. He didn’t attempt to find me any write offs, available credits, or work expenses. When I did my taxes online prior to seeing James Associates, I was able to claim my schooling, several work expenses and medicial expenses. Richard didn’t ask me any questions or help look for any ways I might get back a little money. When I pressed him to actually do his job, he simply said I didn’t qualify and scoffed a little bit that I would even think I qualified for any tax exemptions. He made me feel extremely inferior due to my profession and the number of odd jobs I’ve had over the past year. I felt incredibly uncomfortable and embarressed about myself. Richard did my tax returns (all seven of them) in twenty minutes without looking for any little helpful kick backs, and I was dismissed.
I went in to pay for his «services» three days later and when I went to sign my LEGAL DOCUMENTS, not only was my name wrong on my personal copy, but it was incorrect on EVERY SINGLE LEGAL DOCUMENT being sent to the IRS. Example: if my name was John Smith, my tax documents read Joey Smith. Not correct at all. I quickly asked him to correct this error and made a little joke about my name being correctly spelled on every single tax return in my file. Why didn’t he bother to look over these more thoroughly? Yet another example of him not taking me seriously.
He bumbled around and printed me out another copy for my to sign. I asked him if all the other documents being sent off would infact bare my CORRECT name. Richard quickly said they would and I could tell he just wanted me to leave. Greaaaaat customer service, pal.
When my returns came in the mail, guess who they were addressed to? Joey Smith (example, remember: D) I could not have been more annoyed. I paid over $ 150 for this jerk’s services and he messed up my name on two separate occasions. I emailed him and demanded an explaination. I received no response. I deposited in the checks via the ATM so that a teller wouldn’t deny me. I learned that you can apparently deposit any check you find since the ATM isn’t capable to varifying your name!
Anyway, I was extremely disappointed with James Associates pretty much from beginning to end. From the jaded tax advice to the impersonal customer service and finally, the lack of ability to get my name straight on LEGAL documents.
I would recommend going elsewhere without any hesistation.

Rich is terrific to work with– I find tax time’s a lot less stressful since I’ve started coming here. Highly recommended!

When I was a first year resident of MA, having worked in two other states that year, and staffing events in NY while living in MA, my taxes seemed like a mess. Rich James sorted everything out and got me my refund. Phenomenal!
Aside from being a great number-​cruncher, he’s also very personable. That’s a wonderful quality to have since tax season is never fun. He asks thoughtful questions, makes sure you have all the papers you need, and is genuinely interested in helping get you the best refund possible. 5 stars all around!

I’ve gone to James Associates for the past 3 or so years and always have a great experience. I’m always able to make an appt at a time that works for me and Ray James is always super friendly and helpful.
My taxes aren’t very complicated, but he gets them done very quickly. I appreciate being handed back everything I need including an addressed envelope to pay the MA tax that I owe.
I’d recommend Ray James. I have a few friends who go to him, too, which is how I ended up there.

While I ended up getting a decent refund, a third of it was eaten up by accountants fees. This was my first time going through an accountant (I’m a new business owner) so maybe I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was definitely made to feel unimportant after 2 months of waiting for my taxes to be completed. I met with Charlie several times in order to get everything sorted out, and handed everything over to them in mid-​February.
I run a small business (myself and a few contractors) and it took them so long to process my paperwork that we had to file an extension!
In the end I paid nearly $ 1,000 for my business and personal taxes, which will leave about $ 2,000 left from my refund. Likely a worthwhile trade since they no doubt used every deduction /​work around possible, but it was frustrating to feel like I wasn’t important because I was so small.
If that and the fees don’t bother you, then go for it, because these guys know all the tricks to maximize your refund.