I'm sure that this will come out all right, but it's annoying

Sent in my taxes

IRS sent back some $$$ -- says that I erred. I did, but not the way that they thought. In my schedule A, I entered the same amount for one of the entries as I did for the total. (Cut and paste error -- I use a spreadsheet).
I paid the correct tax amount.

They assumed that I couldn't add. I sent the money back with an explanation.

They sent me a 2nd check -- with interest! I called and explained. The fellow said not to worry, they should be able to figure it out.

I sent the check back plus an edited copy of their transcript showing the problem.

Today I got a bill for the original amount plus interest.

Called ( oh man, it's tough to talk to a person)
- At first her computer crashed
- Then she said that they had no record of my 2nd letter.
- She passed me on to Taxpayer Advocates who are supposed to contact me.

I asked if there was a quicker way to get through (no).
She then explained that they were short staffed because of the coming holiday -- only one I could find was Columbus day!

As noted, I'm sure that I will get it solved, but it's frustrating.
- Why did they send me a 2nd check when they were still researching my first response?
- How long does it take them to figure out very simple problems?

 

> She then explained that they were short staffed because of the coming holiday

Maybe you should have asked in what country ... maybe the IRS started to outsource to India.

 

I deliver so much IRS mail that's it's mind numbing. One could never convince me that all these people are screwed or have screwed up thier taxes.

A few years ago I had an event with the IRS. I owed $6.98 plus interest as I had made an error on my return in that amount. It took four months to solve the problem, they eventually waived the interest as I bitched like a sailor about them and to them.

Come to find out, my case had been passed off amoung several different auditors over the four months and they each thought he other was an idiot and told me so over the phone.

They could solve many of thier issues if the person who opens your case closes it. One stop shop, soup to nuts. Too mnay cooks spoil the stew.

Tim

 

Years ago I worked with a lady who came to work one day all upset. She had recieved a check from the IRS made out correctly to her and her husband in the amount of $40,000. No explaination, nothing. She called the IRS over six times with no results. Deposited the check and forgot about it. Far as I know, it is still there..............

 

I did my taxes this year with my wife. The state sent me a letter 2 months before the deadline saying that I had not filed in 2001 and that they estimated I owe 1,100 dollars. I called and they said I technically have a zero balance because they overcharged me in 2000, so I had an 1,100.00 credit. They told me to write a letter asking to have my credit applied to the balance for a zero balance.
I faxed the letter but they would not give a persons name to address, just said put the state tax division on it. I got a letter again saying that I owe money. I called and spoke to a lady, making sure that I got her name, and told her the whole deal. She said that I need to send another letter but they would not get it before the 15th and I would lose the credit by that time. (It is my money that they are holding and waited until the non file with fines, equalled the credit that they never told me I had was the same as the debt and then would take my credit completely with me still owing 1,100 dollars.)
She got it settled with a higher authority in another division and they settled it all with a zero balance. I asked if I was done with them and she said that as of now I am even but that they do not have records for 2003 and I will end up owing again next year. I have my records for 2003 and am getting ready for it.

THEY SUCK!!!

 

They're on a 7-year grace cycle to catch 'errors'.....and they ALWAYS catch the 'error' on the 7th year so that you have oh.......2 months to pay the piper. Happened to me a couple of times before.......(i.e......in 2006....telling me that something was effed-up from 1999 or something.....).

Yup. They suck. Not surprising though. The IRS probably understands the impossible-to-understand tax system less than the rest of us......

 

You've seen their bumper sticker, right? ...."IRS: We've got what it takes, to take what you've got!"

I agree with Lewis Black that most of the people in charge of our federal government should be taken out onto the lawn of the Whitehouse and have their pants dropped, and spanked in front of the general public. The sort of behavior they're getting away with would have deserved no less when I was a kid....it's just a childish and irresponsible (I was kind of a pain in the butt kid at times).

 

After all it is ....THE IRS

Remove the space,nuff said.