Mark M. Mockensturm

I worked with Mockensturm's for my fathers trust/estate which included a wrongful death claim. I was new at being an executor so the staff was very helpful in guiding me thru the process. They were also very helpful in meeting with my other siblings to explain all the details when needed. Mockenst...urm's also worked with our wrongful death attorney to finalize all the details for the settlement, and any tax issues.. I am very satisfied with the outcome and their knowledge and professionalism that I have an appointment to have them handle my own trust and estate.

I first met with Mockensturm Limited back in January 2014, to explain the tax issues I had with the IRS as a result of negligence on the part of my investment broker to properly represent all the facts regarding an investment they recommended to me. When I learned of the consequences resulting from t...he transaction several months later, I contacted them for help. When they advised me that there was nothing they could do, I asked them to allow me to listen to phone conversations I had with them relative to the investment. They refused my request. I explained the situation to the IRS, and they would not take it into consideration when I pointed out that I actually paid taxes they claimed I owed.   At my first meeting with Mockensturm Limited, they advised me that we would address the problem on two fronts. They would contact my broker and ask for a revised 1099R form, and possibly compensation for the inconvenience and stress caused from dealing with the IRS. And later, an attempt was made by a Mockensturm attorney to get them to produce the phone calls. The second front would be with the IRS in getting them to forgive the tax payments they show due, but in fact, were actually paid. As I look back, I should have asked for a written strategy and expected results. This would have helped, since at times, I didn't have a clear vision of what was to happen next.   Both fronts were attacked, but with no favorable results. Neither of the two parties would give us what we wanted. At this point, I decided to file a complaint with FINRA against my investment advisor. While they wouldn't agree to issuing a revised 1099R form, they did agree to let us listen to the phone calls made relative to the investment. This result came from my idea, and from my effort. Matthew, one of the attorney's I was working with, and I agreed that the calls supported what I had said all along about the broker's lack of clarity with their recommendation.   Some time after this, I made several calls to the IRS, and met with their agents a couple of times in Toledo, in an effort to resolve the problem. No favorable results were accomplished. At this point, the Mockensturm team decided to write a letter to the IRS asking for forgiveness of the interest and penalties accumulated since 2010, and amended 3 past tax returns in an effort to get refunds back to use for payment toward back taxes. I believe they also sent a letter with the returns explaining the circumstances around the issues. Shortly after this, the IRS sent a letter informing me I had until October 24th to pay in full or they would start taking payments from my SS checks. The team then asked if I wanted them to work up a payment plan I could afford based on my income. I elected not to except the offer because of the $230 an hour cost, and the fact that I had already invested close to $4000 in attorney fees. Because of the squeeze this put on me, I decided to go to the local IRS office and ask for an extension based on the pending amended returns. They granted my request. I'm wondering why I had to take that initiative rather than it being offered by Mockensturm. Instead, they offered help with the payment plan.   Back in October I decided to make one last attempt at convincing the Investment Co. to issue a revised 2010 1099R form. This time I sent a letter to their CEO. The next day I got a call from one of his employees advising me that they recorded the transaction of my returning 2010 unused IRA funds to my current broker IRA account, incorrectly, and they would issue a revised 1099R immediately. Mockensturm amended the return, and the matter should be closed. Again, my effort got the most important favorable result. As it turns out, this was key, since the amended returns were just recently rejected by the IRS.

Mark's team at Mockensturm, Limited in Toledo , Ohio has helped me overcome what to me were daunting and overwhelming Issues with the IRS that had been plaguing me for a long time.. There Knowledge of the inner workings of the IRS combined with their Responsive and Friendly Manner truly made me feel ...at ease . I was kept informed with each step in the process explaining in layman's terms the effects and consequences I was facing. In the end everything worked out much better than I could have ever dreamed . And still better yet my IRS Tax Issues are Resolved. If you have IRS issues that need addressed on a trustworthy and personal level I Highly Recommend Mockensturm, Limited... Thanks Mark for a job well done.