Posted on 07/29/2021 6:40:37 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
We filed our federal taxes electronically in 2019. We had a lot of charitable contributions which required a separate page to list them. The electronic submission system had no way to attach the second sheet.
IRS wrote to us saying we had to justify the contributions so we sent them the second page that was omitted from the original return. Then IRS wrote to us AGAIN saying send us the second page. So we sent it again. Now they have written to us saying if we don’t pay them the additional tax we owe them (about $1,000) by August 5, penalties and interest will start accruing. We do not owe them the money and it is their mistake that they have not acknowledged the form we sent them twice. We did not send our previous responses via registered or certified mail, so we have no confirmation of receipt by IRS.
My wife wants to pay them to avoid penalties and interest and get them off our back. I looked at the procedure for contesting an IRS mistake and it is awful involving a court. Hiring a tax lawyer is out of the question because they will burn up more than $1,000 in a heartbeat. If we pay them now, I figure that money is gone and we will never get it back.
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Is there a local IRS office you can visit?
Did you call them?
So how is that the IRS's fault?
Sounds like you need to send in a complete, corrected return and probably a paper version so that you can send in everything at once.
“We did not send our previous responses via registered or certified mail, so we have no confirmation of receipt by IRS.”
Big screw up, buddy.
Best to pay up ( via registerec mail) then maybe file an amended 2019 return sent via registered and certified mail, with all attachments and maybe get a refund
I would try calling.
Is there some reason you’re snail mailing the form instead of faxing or emailing it to them?
you can call the IRS to discuss
I had this happen a couple times with my self employment business taxes. They made the mistake but I had to prove it. But I paid the amount they said I owed and then filed an “amended return” later (complete redo) and they gave me that credit towards the following year. So if it were me I would pay it, and then straighten it out after. They are usually pretty good about applying the proper credit later.
I have tried calling and everytime I get a recording, due to high caller volume call back tomorrow.... same every day. A$$ holes.
What for... so Shaunita can put you on hold for 45 minutes??
You have to deal with the IRS personally, pick up the Phone and call them, they will fix it right away. The same goes for the various State taxing Authorities like California. MAIL does NOTHING!!
I had to call them last year about a return during the time when everyone was waiting on Federal unemployment - it took a few tries and good amount of holding time, but I got through and they were helpful
“We had a lot of charitable contributions which required a separate page to list them.”
I think the IRS’ limit is $300.
#1: Always send mail to them certified or registered.
#2: Scan or photograph everything. Always.
#3: Call them (but budget for a LOT of time on hold)
We had something similar happen. I was on hold for 45 minutes before someone came on and told me he had to transfer me to a different “accounting” department. Accounting department?? Isn’t the entire IRS one big accounting department?? An additional 90 minutes later I finally talked to the right person. 10 minutes later the issue was resolved. This was after 6 months of their letters, threats, extensions so they’d review my responses, etc.
If you don’t feel you owe the money, DON’T PAY THE MONEY! ...but definitely do your due diligence to document the hell out of everything, and call them.
Mess around with the IRS. Yup, that will work out fine.
Is there a local IRS office you can visit?
Our tax question was unusual and complicated and the local people were useless. However, they should be able to deal with your problem. Accessing IRS through the phone is even stranger.
Good luck.
For the past year or two the IRS has been a disaster. I have mailed/faxed the same information numerous times at their request & they have continued to say they did not get it. I have even received a letter saying the got the info & need additional time to review, and then the next day saying they need the information. One department/office doesn’t know what the other is doing, but they are supposed to put notes on you file so any agent has access to them. Unfortunately, they don’t always write the notes down, or the agent will say their system is down & they can’t read the notes..... They have every excuse in the books.
It is a complete hassle, but the best thing to do is call them. It is very difficult to get through & I sit here just keep redialing & if lucky enough to get through, wait on hold.
If you can call them from a different line than your fax line it is best. That way when you get an agent on the phone line, they usually give you a fax number directly to the agent you are speaking with, and you can fax the info while on the phone. Otherwise you can explain your situation & generally will be given an additional 30 days to comply.
I would not pay anything until you speak with an agent. I tis more of a hassle to get the money back.
Pay online. It’s easy and it’s fast. And the electronic records are easier for them to access.
Is this a vanity post?
I think I’m with your wife on this: pay up now, amend later. Best of luck my FRiend.
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