Peter Mertz, Attorney at Law

Everything Jill said is spot on: He was very rude to me for absolutely no reason. I called for an appointment. He said he was full until April and announced it will be $ 300, double from last year for the exact same taxes! He rudly asked «well, what do you want to do!» and I calmly tried to ask why it was so much more and he HUNG UP on me!!! When I called back to talk to him again, he yelled at me «I’m busy. Call me later!» and HUNG up on me again! This man treated me horribly for absolutely no reason. His office is also filthy to the point you don’t even feel comfortable sitting down. Absolutely horrible experience. I would pay double what he charges just to never see or hear his voice again. I would give zero stars if I could. This is how he treated a returning client, mind you!

I found Peter through Unilocal as I am new to NYC and that was a mistake. I should have gone through a friend or a recommendation because I did not have a good experience with Peter, to the point where I did not let him file my taxes.
First, he changed my appointment on me and asked if I could come in early. I accepted to accommodate him, mistook the address by one block, and called. Instead of nicely telling me the address, he yelled at me on the phone then hung up without saying goodbye or letting me acknowledge the different street.
Then I came into his office and found him already busy with someone else. He didn’t even come over to me to welcome me or introduce himself.
Twenty minutes later, he shuffled me over to his extremely crowded and unkempt workspace. I told him this was the first time I had used a tax adviser but he did not take any time to ask me questions, walk me through the process, or tell me what he needed as my last year had been very complicated.
I found him rude and uninterested in my business. I had to go home to get other documents for the next day, I was under the impression that he would contact me. He never did and I was not surprised. I called back a couple weeks later for a document I gave him. He got mad at me on the phone, told me he didn’t have the document, but I needed to come in to finish the return.
I refused and he sent me an email saying that this was my fault. I am 100% positive I gave him that statement and would never go back to him as he can’t even finish my return as he’s lost paperwork.
Unbelievable.

My wife and I have been using Peter since we moved to New York about 5 years ago. He has helped us with our (complicated) Taxes, Real Estate, and International Tax issues related to my job. His office is conveniently located near the 86^th stop on the 6 train. The most important thing about Peter is that he is always available. I can’t remember the last time I called in and he didn’t answer in person. Peter is a reasonably priced attorney for the quality of service he provides. He has certainly simplified our life.