Former clients of “Tax Lady” Roni Deutch are coming forth by the thousands to warn others of the dangers of buying into a TV Lawyer and their claims. Many of her former clients find themselves with more problems now than when they first sought help. The IRS does not give people a break because they chose the wrong lawyer. The taxes 2010, interest and penalties just keeping getting larger.
In an unprecedented $34,000,000 lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s office she and her firm are alleged to have falsely billed for services and providing no service on a client’s behalf. This lawsuit and other allegations led to the closing of her offices and a stormy news conference in response to her detractors. Her quote “I am not the monster they make me out to be!” is not the sentiment of many of her clients. Clients like an 82 year old man who is barely hanging on due to the problems she promised to help. “I feel like I have been Bernie Madoffed.”
Deutch has plead not guilty to charges of not paying client tax refunds and contempt of court. She has been said to have shredded documents and failed to file on behalf of clients. As more former clients come forward the news just continues to get worse. Ms. Deutch at one time had a respected practice with billings upward of 20 -30 million dollars a year.
Many of the troubled people who sought help have now turned to the IRS, hired private accountants or other attorneys to help sort out their tax problems. The Tax Payer Advocacy unit of the IRS is available to help those who cannot afford private help. This service does what the Deutch firm promised to do, but they do it for free. The caveat here is that while the service is free and open to everyone, it is still a part of the government and the IRS and that is to whom they answer to.