FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions we hear every day
Quick answers about visiting our office, fees, documents and each of our services. Don’t see your question? Call 718-880-4485 or WhatsApp 646-852-0774.
Visiting our office
Where are you, and when are you open?
451 Rockaway Avenue, Units 6 & 8, Rockaway Mini Mall, Brooklyn, NY 11212. Our entrance is step-free and wheelchair accessible. Hours: Monday–Wednesday and Friday 9:30 AM–7:00 PM, Thursday 9:30 AM–8:30 PM, Saturday 10:30 AM–6:30 PM, Sunday closed.
Do I need an appointment?
Walk-ins are welcome for copies, fax, photos and most office help. Notary services by appointment only. Our notary is not in every day — please call 718-880-4485 before coming to confirm availability. For other services, call us or book an appointment online.
Can I come early, in the evening or on Sunday?
What languages do you speak?
Spoken in our office: English, French, Wolof, Pulaar (Fulani), Susu, Lingala, Malinké and Soninké (Serahule). Spanish and Haitian Creole: please call ahead. Don’t see your language? Call us and ask.
Can you help me if I don’t live in Brooklyn?
Yes. We work with clients in person in Brooklyn or virtually from anywhere in the U.S. For taxes, you can send us your documents and review your return with us by phone or video. Medicare clients meet with us in person at our Brooklyn office.
Fees and payment
How much do your services cost?
Every situation is different, but we’re transparent: you’ll know your price before any work starts. Prices are posted in our office, and we can send you our price list on request. General consultation: free. Tax Advisory & IRS Help consultations: $80. Government fees are always shown separately from ours.
How can I pay?
You can pay by card online through a secure Stripe payment link we text or email you, or pay at our office, where Zelle and cash are also accepted. A real payment link from us always opens on a Stripe page and comes from our office number, 718-880-4485, or from Hello@teteemagroup.com. If you are not sure a message is from us, call 718-880-4485 before you pay. More about paying online.
Can my tax preparation fee come out of my refund?
Yes. No money up front? Your preparation fee can be paid from your refund. Bank and transmission fees apply.
Your documents and privacy
How do I send you my documents safely?
For taxes, upload your documents through our secure client portal. For translation, upload your document with our translation quote form, and we’ll reply with your price. Never send your Social Security number or tax documents by email, text or WhatsApp.
Do you keep my original documents?
No. Your originals stay with you whenever the rules allow it. We make the copies we need and give your originals back to you. For ITIN applications, we verify your documents here, so in most cases your passport goes home with you the same day.
What should I bring?
It depends on the service. For taxes, see our full tax appointment checklist. Each service page also lists what to bring, and you can always call 718-880-4485 to ask.
Taxes and ITIN
Is the first consultation free?
Start with a free general consultation. Tax Advisory & IRS Help consultations are $80. Tell us what you need, and we’ll explain how we can help before any work starts.
I don’t have a Social Security number. Can I still file?
Often, yes. As an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent, we can help you apply for an ITIN, usually together with your tax return, and verify many identity documents right here in the office. Learn more about ITIN applications.
Can I do everything without coming in?
Yes. You can send us your documents and review your return with us by phone or video, from anywhere in the U.S. Upload your documents through our secure client portal.
I got a letter from the IRS or New York State. What now?
Don’t ignore it. Bring it in and we’ll explain it in plain language and help you prepare your response. If you need an attorney, CPA or enrolled agent to represent you, we’ll tell you.
Does an ITIN let me work or change my immigration status?
No. An ITIN is for tax purposes only. It does not give work authorization or change immigration status.
Immigration documents
Are you lawyers? Can you give me legal advice?
No. TETEEMA GROUP LLC is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. No one here is an attorney or DOJ-accredited representative, and we cannot give legal advice. If your case needs legal help, we refer you to an independent immigration attorney. No referral fee is ever accepted.
Can you guarantee approval or make my case go faster?
No. Every decision and timeline belongs to USCIS or the agency handling your case. Be careful of anyone who promises results.
Can I cancel after I sign?
Yes. You can cancel within three business days of signing your contract, without penalty.
Where can I get free legal help?
Call the New York State Office for New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636 for free, confidential referrals in many languages. See our immigration document services.
NOTICE: The individuals providing Immigrant Assistance Services at TETEEMA GROUP LLC are not attorneys licensed to practice law and are not accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals to represent you before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (Immigration Court), the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of State or any other immigration authority. We may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice. For free legal referrals, or to make a complaint about an immigrant assistance service provider, call the New York State Office for New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636, the New York State Office of the Attorney General at 1-800-771-7755, or your local district attorney’s office.
Certified translation
Will USCIS accept your translation?
USCIS asks for a complete English translation with a translator’s certification of competence and accuracy. Every translation we deliver includes that signed certificate.
How long does it take?
In business days: French 2–3 days (rush 24 hours), Spanish and other common languages 3–4 days (rush 2 days), other languages 4–5 days (rush 3 days). Same-day service for French: documents and payment by 12 PM, ready by 7 PM. Timing starts once payment is confirmed.
Do I need it notarized?
USCIS does not require notarization. Some schools, courts or foreign offices do, so check with the place you are sending it. If your document needs to be notarized, we can provide that for an extra cost.
Insurance and Medicare
Do I pay you to help me choose a plan?
Medicare and health insurance reviews are free. As a licensed broker we are paid by the insurance company when you enroll, and you can ask us at any time how we are paid. If any other service has a fee, it is explained and agreed with you before we begin.
Will you pressure me to buy?
No. A review is not a commitment. Take the information home, ask questions in your language, and decide when you are ready.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 6 organizations which offer 47 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Plan counts are for Kings County (Brooklyn), NY.
DMV, notary and passports
Are you the DMV?
No. TEMA Express Services is a licensed private service bureau, not an official agency of the Department of Motor Vehicles. We help you prepare and process eligible DMV transactions for a service fee.
Can you get my U.S. passport for me?
No. We help you complete the application and take your passport photos. You submit the application yourself at an official passport acceptance facility, or by mail if you qualify for renewal by mail. Current government passport fees are listed on travel.state.gov and are paid separately from our service fee.
What should I bring to get a document notarized?
A valid, unexpired government photo ID and the document, unsigned. You sign in front of the notary. A notary cannot give legal advice or tell you which document you need.
SECURE CLIENT PORTAL
File from the comfort of your home.
On your couch, on your lunch break, or after the kids are asleep: upload your documents, fill out your tax questionnaire and sign, all through our secure portal. No extra trip to the office.
Never send your Social Security number or tax documents by email, text or WhatsApp.