Tax Troubles
Without going into the details, let me just say that the IRS and I have a disagreement on my 2003 tax return. Its a minor one, really, but the experience is frustrating me.
The process began with a "Note of Deficiency" sometime in December…right around Christmas Day, actually. After reading it, I could see what their concern was and why things weren’t quite clear on the return. So I put a thorough paper trail together and wrote a very clear cover letter. In addition, they also provided a form which had likely reasons for the deficiency. My reason was among them, so I checked the appropriate box.
In early March, I received a confirmation from the IRS that they had received my letter and that a decision would be made by March 27th.
Yesterday, we received a notice that a registered letter awaited us. Today I picked it up and it was a note from the IRS detailing a "Note of Deficiency". There is no explanation as to why my case was denied, just several pages detailing how I can pay the amount owed.
Folks, this is a small amount of money. Very immaterial given some things that you hear today. But anyway, I think I’m right, so am reluctant to pay just because the IRS is intimidating. Because I feel the need to understand how I am wrong, I’m going to have to call them to get the details that they should have provided in this latest mailing. Thus I’m going to be wasting additional taxpayer money as I occupy some IRS specialist to help me understand this.
I’m just a little frustrated because I pay my taxes on time and honestly and when asked have provided a thorough explanation for an exceptional condition. And yet the IRS cannot provide the same courtesy back.
UPDATE: I called the IRS today to discuss my case. It appears that the registered letter that I received kicked out of their system automatically because the case was not settled and has 90 days to go. However, I discovered that my case has not been assigned to anyone and that they have no record of my response. This is disconcerting since I have a written reply from them acknowledging my response along with an advisement that they will respond by 3/27. They have asked me to fax in my response again since the original is apparently lost. This explains the lack of explanation within the registered letter, however if I were the passive type, I would have accepted that I had lost the case and just paid the amount due.