IRS and their supposed advocacy service
#1
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,847
IRS and their supposed advocacy service
OK, so the IRS has had my tax return since 16 Feb this year. We made claimed the standard stuff, submitted electronically, have very simple tax situation blah blah blah... and are owed nearly $4K...
So why is the IRS taking nearly 6 months to not pay...???!!!
They've got the time to send me letters saying 'please give us another 45 days' etc - but not the time to sort my claim out - something I'm sure wouldn't take too long to do...
I've applied to the advocacy service to try and make an impact that way - nothing so far, not even acknowledgement of receipt - and funny old thing, this service is part of the IRS...
"No taxation without representation" was the mantra at the Boston Tea Party - well, I pay taxes here, happily (!) but don't seem to have any representation, not being USC etc...
Any suggestions that fall in to the category of 'useful'??!!
A hopeful HTS
So why is the IRS taking nearly 6 months to not pay...???!!!
They've got the time to send me letters saying 'please give us another 45 days' etc - but not the time to sort my claim out - something I'm sure wouldn't take too long to do...
I've applied to the advocacy service to try and make an impact that way - nothing so far, not even acknowledgement of receipt - and funny old thing, this service is part of the IRS...
"No taxation without representation" was the mantra at the Boston Tea Party - well, I pay taxes here, happily (!) but don't seem to have any representation, not being USC etc...
Any suggestions that fall in to the category of 'useful'??!!
A hopeful HTS
#2
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
Thats what happened to us this year too, only we got a partial refund and then letters saying 30 days then 45 days. I'd originally filed in Feb I got the money finally (in full) the last week in July.
From what I was told, they deposit money into the bank accounts every Friday, I found that the message I got on the wheres my refund site changed the day before I got all my money.
From what I was told, they deposit money into the bank accounts every Friday, I found that the message I got on the wheres my refund site changed the day before I got all my money.
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
I find it much better to owe the IRS money, than the other way around.
#5
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
At least they plan on repaying it....rather than some states issuing a IOU
#6
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,847
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
Thanks all, for the comments.
I think this is a 1-off for us - if we are owed any money next time around, it's likely to be a small amount... but being owed nearly $4K at a time when you've just made that move from 1 country/continent to another does cause a little stress!!
Isn't there some kind of maximum term, within which the IRS has to may refunds, before it becomes liable for interest etc? I mean, if I was late paying my taxes I'm pretty sure the IRS would levy a fine and interest... can't I do the same too??!!!
Cheers
HTS
I think this is a 1-off for us - if we are owed any money next time around, it's likely to be a small amount... but being owed nearly $4K at a time when you've just made that move from 1 country/continent to another does cause a little stress!!
Isn't there some kind of maximum term, within which the IRS has to may refunds, before it becomes liable for interest etc? I mean, if I was late paying my taxes I'm pretty sure the IRS would levy a fine and interest... can't I do the same too??!!!
Cheers
HTS
#7
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
No....that's why it's not a good idea giving them a interest free loan...but it's only something you can only really know exactly about when you're here I guess...so chalk the first year expense and hassle as just that part of the investment in the move
#8
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
So why is the IRS taking nearly 6 months to not pay...???!!! - Uncle Sam is bankrupt don't forget!
Don' piss them off too much otherwise you're going to get a red hot poker up yer ar$e audit!! Advocacy is mere PR... call them directly and talk to a human.. don't get pushed into another department.
Try calling your congressman.
I had a client who was needing a verified copy from the IRS of his return inorder to get VA mortgage squared away... 2 mo+ runaround from the IRS; called and bitched to local congressman's office and his tax return copy was ready the next day.
Don't feel bad... I never got the 'economic stimulus' check, it got intercepted, they saw it was deposited/cashed, but, not from me! Since it was mailed, it was then a matter with USPS and not anything to do with them anymore.
#9
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
Thanks all, for the comments.
I think this is a 1-off for us - if we are owed any money next time around, it's likely to be a small amount... but being owed nearly $4K at a time when you've just made that move from 1 country/continent to another does cause a little stress!!
Isn't there some kind of maximum term, within which the IRS has to may refunds, before it becomes liable for interest etc? I mean, if I was late paying my taxes I'm pretty sure the IRS would levy a fine and interest... can't I do the same too??!!!
Cheers
HTS
I think this is a 1-off for us - if we are owed any money next time around, it's likely to be a small amount... but being owed nearly $4K at a time when you've just made that move from 1 country/continent to another does cause a little stress!!
Isn't there some kind of maximum term, within which the IRS has to may refunds, before it becomes liable for interest etc? I mean, if I was late paying my taxes I'm pretty sure the IRS would levy a fine and interest... can't I do the same too??!!!
Cheers
HTS
http://www.obliviousinvestor.com/avo...ent-penalties/
#10
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 928
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
How could someone else cash a cheque payable to your name? Do they not have crossed cheques in the USA?
#11
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
You can cash a napkin if you really want to... as long as it has your acct # and routing/sorting code on it - you are making a legal instrument against your bank account.
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 928
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
Very very rarely are Xd cheques used; even if one does, you're relying on the tellers knowing how to handle them 'correctly'. Checks from the treasury can't have any 'restrictions' for the payee and have to be able to be cashed at any bank; all you have to have is a photo i.d. (easily faked...).
You can cash a napkin if you really want to... as long as it has your acct # and routing/sorting code on it - you are making a legal instrument against your bank account.
You can cash a napkin if you really want to... as long as it has your acct # and routing/sorting code on it - you are making a legal instrument against your bank account.
#13
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,847
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
I have to say that the shape/look/feel of the US banking system was a bit of a shocker when I first encountered it...
... a cynic might (!) say that the explanation given by the banking industry - about operating across state lines requires extra systems/complexity which costs... is simply an excuse to keep gouging retail banking customers (i.e. the individual...)
The opportunity for fraudulent use of personal details, credit/debit cards and bank account details seems to be greater here than in the UK... emphasis on 'seems'... anyway, I reckon I spend about 3-4 hrs per week accounting for everything that we do with cards, cash, direct debit-stye payments etc - just to be sure we're not getting screwed over somewhere... that's actually not a bad habit to be in anyway... so far, haven't been screwed by criminals, just the auto insurance industry and the IRS...
Cheers
HTS
... a cynic might (!) say that the explanation given by the banking industry - about operating across state lines requires extra systems/complexity which costs... is simply an excuse to keep gouging retail banking customers (i.e. the individual...)
The opportunity for fraudulent use of personal details, credit/debit cards and bank account details seems to be greater here than in the UK... emphasis on 'seems'... anyway, I reckon I spend about 3-4 hrs per week accounting for everything that we do with cards, cash, direct debit-stye payments etc - just to be sure we're not getting screwed over somewhere... that's actually not a bad habit to be in anyway... so far, haven't been screwed by criminals, just the auto insurance industry and the IRS...
Cheers
HTS
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 53
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
I have recently opened another account at my bank, for business use. One of my employees didn't realize the account didn't have her as a signatory, because she was on the previous account, so paid for a couple of things with checks. When she realized, she paniced and I went down to the branch to sort it out. Their response was to ask if I wanted to prosecute her? Of course I didn't, but when I asked why the check was honored as she shouldn't have signed it, they told me they don't even check unless it is for a large amount!! Doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the banking system.
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,851
Re: IRS and their supposed advocacy service
I have recently opened another account at my bank, for business use. One of my employees didn't realize the account didn't have her as a signatory, because she was on the previous account, so paid for a couple of things with checks. When she realized, she paniced and I went down to the branch to sort it out. Their response was to ask if I wanted to prosecute her? Of course I didn't, but when I asked why the check was honored as she shouldn't have signed it, they told me they don't even check unless it is for a large amount!! Doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the banking system.