R&G Brenner Reviews

During the tax years of 2019 and 2020, we had a fantastic tax preparer at R&G Brenner, but I won’t drop his name here since that’s not the focus of my review. My wife Lois and I had been using his top-notch services for years before he joined Brenner, and we kept it up while he was there. We usually handed over drafts of our federal and state tax forms along with the necessary documents to support them, then worked together to finalize and file everything. We’re used to getting an extension for our annual taxes until October instead of April, and 2021 was no different—except for one thing: when we reached out to our tax preparer in September 2021 for help with our 2020 taxes, he told us he had retired. He recommended we connect with another preparer still at Brenner.

So, we did, and it turned out to be a total mess. After I sent over our 2020 tax drafts and supporting documents to the new preparer, I started discussing everything with him. Unfortunately, the more I talked to him, the more I realized he didn’t have a clue. Unlike our previous preparer, who always accepted the information I provided because he understood the meticulous work I put into it, this new guy dismissed my data and insisted on using his own. This was despite the fact that I had given him accurate information and a thorough explanation of my long-standing methods for gathering that data. At that point, Lois and I decided to cut ties with Brenner, but we still paid them in full because we just wanted to be done with the whole situation.

To their credit, a representative from Brenner reached out afterward and offered us a chance to work with a different tax preparer. I suppose it’s possible that other folks at Brenner might be more skilled than the one we got stuck with. However, I turned down their offer because I was just too fed up with the whole experience. On the bright side, Lois and I managed to file our taxes on time, despite all the hassle.

After being a loyal customer for 17 years, I recently discovered that my value as a client is pretty much nonexistent. It's outrageous to impose a $95 increase in filing fees. Claiming it's the client's fault for being undercharged in previous years is just ridiculous. Not giving clients a heads-up before they book an appointment that your company has suddenly decided to follow Industry Standards is just bad business. You make clients come in, submit all their paperwork, and then hit them with the Industry Standard excuse when it's too late. It leaves folks feeling trapped—either pay up or leave without getting your taxes done. To make matters worse, General Manager Louis Arena ignored our Tax Preparer for over 45 minutes, which had us stuck in the office. What should've been a one-hour appointment stretched to over two hours. Reaching out to customer service was no better; they also refused to listen and kept repeating the same line about underpayment and moving to Industry Standards. For a long-time client like me, that just feels like being taken advantage of.

I've had Herbert Waldhauser as my accountant for several years now, and honestly, I wish I had found him earlier. He’s always on top of things and knows all the tax laws inside and out. What really blows me away is how well he keeps up with changes in the tax code. Plus, he’s got a really patient and friendly approach. Five stars, no doubt!

I gotta say, the tax prep services here are really impressive. They offer a personalized touch and are backed by a slick digital system. Honestly, you won't get this kind of service for the price anywhere else.

I decided to check out R & G Brenner after a buddy suggested I chat with Kimberly Leed. My friend hit the nail on the head. I was really pleased with Kimberly’s friendly and professional demeanor. On top of that, she knew her stuff when it came to tax codes and the ins and outs of preparing my returns. I walked in feeling pretty anxious, but I left with a solid solution, feeling relaxed and sure that I picked the right person and company to tackle my issues. I definitely recommend this company’s services.

Given that I was in a rush for my taxes, Mr. Collett at the midtown spot was super quick and really helpful.

Reliable, sincere, and considerate, this service adjusts to make sure you score the most value for your money while also providing an excellent experience!

I found myself getting pretty frustrated over needing a quick pdf copy of my returns. I was informed that I’d automatically get access to those files once the IRS accepted the return, all stored on the 'Cloud'. Unfortunately, a glitch in your website made that impossible, and it’s still being sorted out.

On the bright side, my interactions with my preparer and the IT guy trying to fix the issue were top-notch. However, the front office staff seemed a bit too focused on company rules to really care about the customer. For instance, they said, 'You already have a paper copy of the return, and our policy states you must pay for a second copy.' To that, I’d like to point out:

1) I never requested the 150 pages I received, nor was I informed that I could choose between a paper or digital copy.

2) If I had known, I would’ve easily opted for the pdf instead of all that unnecessary paper.

3) Also, if your cloud system was functioning properly, this wouldn’t even be an issue, as I would’ve had the pdf in my hands within a day.

For more than two decades, R G Brenner has been handling my taxes, and I can’t say enough good things about this unmatched organization. The team, along with my tax attorney Jerry Collett, consistently takes the time to explore the best options for me in a highly professional and prompt way. Jerry is super knowledgeable, objective, and personable, and he always responds to my inquiries, no matter how swamped he might be.

Thanks a ton, R G Brenner, for always having my back.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Nilas Martins

I've been coming to this place for a long time, and they truly understand their stuff. Every single year, my taxes get done right and on time without any hassle. Plus, the vibe in the office is fantastic, and they make you feel like part of the family! Thanks a bunch!

Mr. Ron delivered excellent service at the 125th spot. He was both professional and quick with his work. I’ll definitely suggest this place to my family and friends.

I have mixed feelings about the assistance provided by senior tax consultant Danielle Rath. She’s not just good at her job; she’s also super professional while doing it. You’ve got a real treasure in her. Overall, I’m quite pleased and content with the help I received.

Always helpful and effective, especially since I’m living abroad. I really value the reliable and clear service.

The team here is super professional and friendly. Barbara Leed truly knows her stuff. You’ll be in and out before you know it. Their charges are fair for everything they handle for us.

Kevin is reliable, meticulous, and straightforward. He’s been assisting us with our taxes for several years, and we’ve always had a great experience. I wouldn’t think twice about recommending him to others.