BEWARE!! I recently hired the Dolins Group to help me prepare my taxes after the sale of my business with the hope of minimizing my exposure to capital gains taxes. The communication, investigative research, guidance, and counsel provided by The Dolins Group was absolutely HORRIBLE! I asked on several occasions (five to be exact) for a formal review and Q&A session. I was never granted the review and ultimately received an email suggesting that I prepay hundreds of thousands of dollars to the state and the IRS while requesting an extension...no review...no discussion...an email with the extension request and the payment voucher. I contacted Steve Dolins to express my disappointment and he simply disregarded my concerns and claimed this to be standard operating procedure. He also sent me an invoice for $5,600 without providing any work product!! Was I furious? Yes! So he resigned as my accountant after I had already prepaid the taxes that he instructed. Now he is unwilling to provide me with the data and forms that correspond with the payments I made. If you're seeking good counsel, knowledgeable staff support, high quality customer service, and reasonable cost structure....THIS IS NOT YOUR PLACE!!! BUYER BEWARE!! I will also be filing with the BBB! read more

Terrible, would not recommend. Very unorganized, over-billing and mistakes on all my tax returns for 3 year....done!

We started using Dolins to handle our taxes roughly 6 years ago. When we first started with them the service was good. There were mistakes but they were very responsive and would frequently speak with us regarding the corrections required and the details regarding the services rendered. The billing was pretty consistent without any surprises. Roughly 3 years ago the service changed for the worse and they became dramatically less responsive. Then the last two years the service, communication, accuracy, and bill all took a dramatic downturn. I owed some taxes out of state and last year Dolins had us pay an additional $2,000 on the out of state taxes. Luckily the state treasurer caught the issue and sent us the refund. Dolins never provided an explanation or an apology for their oversight. Again, this year Dolins had us pay an additional 300 on the out of state taxes and offered no explanation or apology. Additionally, they added extra filings on an out of state refund situation that were not needed and then billed us an additional $600 dollars. We had filled out the required forms ourselves for the out of state refund issue so no actual work was needed on the issue. But Dolins insisted on creating additional filings and then charged us for it without any notice. At the start of the tax season, we had submitted the completed forms for this refund issue to them to file with all of our taxes. They then billed us for our taxes...leading us to assume that the bill covered all services rendered. But then weeks later we received a second bill for the additional $600. When we asked about why we were required to pay this extra amount they did not provide any explanation. They did not even try to call to discuss this with us. Someone from billing just said we owe this because of the additional out of state refund issue...despite the additional filings being totally unnecessary. By the end of our time with Dolins they lacked transparency on billing, they did not communicate in advance of charging, they repeatedly filed inaccurately on out of state forms, and they rarely provided detailed feedback on the work that was being done. When we started with them I would have recommended them. Our experience over the past 3 years though has been dismal. I strongly recommend that you do not consider this firm. If your taxes are simple...they will overcharge. If they are complicated, they will also overcharge and likely not even file correctly. read more

If you have a small business, I do not recommend The Dolins Group. Matt and his team at The Dolins Group has been extremely unresponsive. We are in September 2020 and my 2019 taxes are still not complete. I have not heard from them for months. I reach out to them and do not get a response. The first year they did my taxes, I was treated professionally and that my business was important. This year I guess since I am not a new client, I have been passed off to a young associate which almost cost me 1000's of dollars b/c he did not understand the LLC vs S Corp filing I had previously discussed with Matt. I hope that I will be able to update this to a more positive review once The Dolins Group makes this right. read more

matthew always is concerned with the best returns for his clients. I would highly recommend him

I've used this company for about 7 years for our condo association, and for 2 years for my personal tax returns. For my 2020 1040, they made a boneheaded error, most likely caused by a basic software issue. They claimed that I made a $71,250 retirement account contribution for the year, although I provided them with no such information. If only I were able to do that!! Unfortunately they refused to correct this very obvious mistake that I pointed out after another accountant noticed the error. They only needed to file a simple amended return, but they wanted to charge me $300 for that. By the time they reversed that decision and agreed to do it for free, since I had copied a managing partner on my challenge to that decision, it was clear that this is not a company that I want to work with, free or not. I would highly recommend staying away from them. Mistakes happen, but obstinately trying to charge a client for an obvious error is not acceptable. read more

Things started out great with this team, Steve was professional, spent time reviewing my return and providing financial insights. Over the years, and following COVID they stopped the 1 on 1 attention - just a black box where you send your paperwork and no one calls you back to discuss the return. It's become more of a mill for processing returns and no longer the 1 on 1 attention it used to be. Further, this year they increased rates, but didn't find that out until I received the bill. It's unfortunate that the growth has lead to poor customer service. read more

The most expensive accountant in Illinois. Billed me $6,000 for 3 returns. No warning just here's the bill!

I have had the pleasure of working with The Dolins Group for over 10 years. I started when living in Illinois and continued now that I live in Montana. I never seem to complete the online questionnaire until mid March. This year was no different. They turned around my return in 24 hours. Their responsiveness has always been like this. It's not like my return is easy with stock transactions, sometimes multiple state returns and real estate transactions. I can not recommend them highly enough. This year I asked them to make a change in my return and the revised return was done in two hours. read more

Steve has been our accountant for 12+ years and is AWESOME!!!!!! He will always respond to any question I have (no matter how stupid) in a prompt manner. Everyone at the firm is extremely responsive, and has a "can do" attitude. They go out of their way to make sure to be professional and pleasant. I have referred everyone in my family, and most friends to Steve's practice and no one has ever been disappointed. I have been pretty late a few years and they have always come through for me. BEST ACCOUNTANT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Long time client, now departing. This firm is focused solely on 'ticking their corporate boxes' and THEIR routine. They are not interested at all in what you as the client request or desire. Numerous issues but here was the 'final straw': their annual client letter promised 10 day tax return completion if materials were submitted by January month end. We are now at 6 weeks and counting. Why? The IRS approved some minor revised form in January, but their tax form vendor has not uploaded the form to their system yet. Both the staff accountant - AND THEIR MANAGING PARTNER Steve Dolins - refused to just use the IRS-approved form to move things forward. Stated that so long as the return gets done by 4-15 or some extended date, that should be good enough (note: we have no idea if we will be due a refund or not, so this has a potential adverse impact on us). Run, do not walk, from this firm! read more

This was the first time I filed with Dolins group and was my experience terrible. You assume when you hire an accountant, they'll be thorough with your taxes and making sure it's done properly. Not the case. As someone who normally files my own taxes in the past (individual uncomplicated returns), I'm familiar with what goes into it. This year, decided to go with an accounting firm due to a move (I felt lazy to fill out all the stuff with a new hire). I uploaded my basic info into their online server and was promised a call to go over any intricacies about my unique situation. Never happened. I got a bill and told my returns were ready to file....HOLD UP! Hey Dolins Group, if there weren't specific things I wanted to go over with you, I'd have filed with TurboTax and saved the money on you. I had to literally be on top of them regarding my location change and prior addresses for local taxes and the such (they didn't even ask about it, I had to be proactive to tell them). I'd call to ask them if they were done, and the first time, said they were essentially done and would be emailed to me. Two weeks later, I call and they said they'll check on it and call me back in 5 minutes. 6 hours later, I call back and they said they are doing them. Now, if you want to pay an accountant and have to babysit them through all your returns, go with this group. Most of us want an accountant that goes over your taxes with you and makes sure they are done, and the fee we give them is for the convenience of that. Dolins Group is not recommend. They don't even call you back and I genuinely wonder, had I not been proactive with them, would my returns have been incomplete. read more

I've been using the services of Steve Dolins and Matt Meyer for 10+ years. I have had good years, great years and not so good years and they have been there for me through all of it. I sold a company in 2009 and they were 100% on top of it. They are fair, agressive and know when to push for a bigger return without crossing the line. I highly suggest you call them if you are starting a business or just want to ensure your accountant has done the most of you. You can count on personal service from a group of professionals that get to know you and your business. I have seen The Dolins group grow over the years and this growth is a testament to their service. You won't be disappointed. read more

It is kind of hard to get motivated to review an accounting firm, but these guys are really top notch. Ive been dealing with a Mr Pollack who is definitely on top of his game. Their communication is superb, office beautiful, and accounting knowledge far superior to any firm I have dealt with in the past. Because they have worked on our business and my personal returns I can confidently recommend them for both! read more

I have worked with The Dolins Group for almost 10 years, and have been extremely satisfied. Larger firms have treated me like a number, but working with the Dolins Group feels like a family. I have referred friends and family to their practice, and would not hesitate putting my reputation on the line to recommend them. My accountant, Matthew Meyer (CPA), responds very quickly to any question I have, and has reached out to me proactively. I would highly recommend their services. read more

I have been with Steve and The Dolins Group and his group for over 15 years. I can't imagine going anywhere else as I have been treated with such respect, patience and professionalism. Whenever I had a question, and I have had some basic ones, Steve responded promptly and respectfully. I have also worked with other members of his staff and found them to be equally competent and timely in all they do. I have never questioned any advise that I have been given because of the trust that has been established over the years. I am only sorry that I never took the time to write this review years ago! Connie T. read more

We have been using Steve Dolins and the Dolins Group for over 21 years and we have always been amazed at the abilities of Steve Dolins as a CPA to help our businesses achieve financial stability and success. read more

From the Dolins Group mission statement: "We pride ourselves in providing high quality, personalized service in a relaxed and friendly environment." From my experience they do not provide high quality work or a friendly atmosphere. At first I thought the problem was the accountant assigned to our small business but as I worked my way up the ladder it was apparent the issues stemmed from the top. Unbelievable nerve and opposite of what you want and need from an accounting firm. Neil Johnson was cocky and was totally unprofessional in just about every aspect. If you're considering the Dolins Group for your small or medium sized accounting, run, don't walk, run! read more

Oh my goodness - I left this group for the same reason. They deceived me and asked me to come back and make good but I refused. How could decent people do this to others?! Are we just the little fish in their big pond? Just shameful... I hope anyone thinking of using Dolins reads this and understands the nerve these people have. read more

I have never done this before, but I would like people to be aware of this unprofessional accounting firm. In fact when I left this company 6 months ago I went to another firm in Deerfiend two otherpeople who had Dolins Group as CPA's came to this company think of the probability of that happening!!! Steve Dolins company gives you camouflaged statements, over charges, gives ambiguous answers to questions and made two huge errors, thak GOD I caught them. This is a company that lacks respect and integrity. Their moto is MONEY FIRST PEOPLE SECOND!!! Thank you. read more

Our company has partnered with The Dolins Group for over 12 years and we've been nothing but satisfied with their expertise, insights, professionalism and cheerful support when we have questions or problems. I can't speak for the other 'not so great' reviews below, I'm sorry for their experience. But I felt compelled to tell the truth from our point of view. I would recommend Steve Dolins, Matt Meyer, Neal Johnson and all the great accountants there to anyone! - they've been an important part of our success. read more

I have been using the Dolins Group for my taxes for the last seven years. They are helpful, honest, and professional. I am always amazed at how quickly they respond to any of my questions. I have recommended them to several of my friends who have gone on to use them too. I have never had one problem with them. read more

I've been a Dolins client for 25 years and will be for the rest of my life. I am personally a CPA with Big 4 experience and I took Tax Strategy at the Booth School of Business but I choose to pay The Dolins Group to do my return. It's THE BEST money that I have ever spent as they have saved me tens of thousands of dollars over the years. They are maximum aggressive without tripping any red flags that would warrant an audit because they know all of the thresholds and percentages that trigger the IRS. In addition to their razor sharp acumen, they are also extremely responsive, punctual and it's a pleasure to work with them. if you are looking for an accountant, you must call Steve Dolins or his partner Matt Meyer at 847-498-1040. It's the best business decision you will make this year. read more

Matt and Steve are truly first rate professionals. Prior to my association with the Dolins Group, I was with someone for over 10 years. I thought I had an OK deal. As tax professionals, Matt Meyer's and company leave this guy in the dust. They are always willing to answer questions in a very, thoughtful manner. They look at your financial situation from multiple perspectives, then chart the BEST course for you gong forward. read more