God DAMN the IRS!!!!!!!

[doodadem]

The IRS has just informed us that they are keeping our little "economic stimulus" check, that we poopoo'd several months ago, but now need desperately. My husband just lost his job, and we already had bills out the wazoo (I've posted previously about our legal battle from hell).

When they said they were keeping our $2 refund for the year, we said fine. We are still making monthly payments on our tax bill from last year. But this was not supposed to be a refund, dammit.

What gives them the right to confiscate it, when we need it desperately--exactly what they were supposed to be for?

[FreakinDJ]

1. They sent me a stimulous check and a BILL for 2006

What do they call that - "A reach around while getting Mucked from behind"

[haele]

16. They sent me a bill, also, and they were wrong.

They already took money out for what we owed last year, they took money out from what we owed this year, they took the state refund we would have gotten, and after everything was paid off, the stimulus check was supposed to be $262 after they took everything out - a total of around $1200 + late fees - which I won't argue with, as I made the error with exemptions because of the increases in SSDI, not realizing that now we have to pay taxes on the supplemental for the kid. Those errors are corrected, we should be good for next year and might even have a couple hundred coming back (which I don't want - I'd rather have the couple hundred over the year, thank you very much...)

We filed on time, so they took the taxes we owed right out of stimulus check last month. Which again, I have no problems with. We owed it, we pay it.

Today, they sent me a bill saying that including the late fees, we owed $1800 (apparently even) - because we haven't apparently paid anything over the past three months? They already took money coming back to us from the state, they already gutted our "stimulus check" and apparently, that didn't count for payment and we owe a two month's late fee for entire amount owed even after we paid off basically a month ago? :wtf:

So now, I'm going to have to run numbers through turbotax again and send them another 1040A with everything listed on it - matching to what they claim we owe the $1800 on - and everything that was paid to show them that their calculations are way off, and we shouldn't owe anything more than what we have already paid them.
Damned if I'm going to just let them have another $500 I don't owe because my bookkeeping might not be the best in the world.

Arrgh. What a cheap way to try to get money. And of course, they go after the people who don't have money for accountants and lawyers to fight them in court.

Haele

[graywarrior]

They will probably keep mine, too.

I got a letter informing me that I made a mistake on my returns and that we owe them money. I have a feeling a lot of people are going to experience the same thing. That economic stimulus thing was full of shit.

[CountAllVotes]

3. a way to audit all citizens

and a way to make damn sure that YOU are not getting a check! :hug:

:(

[graywarrior]

5. Exactly.

Nothing is done for the good of the citizens by this administration.

[bbinacan]

2. Did they apply it to

your back taxes?

[doodadem]

4. Yes

I don't get it--this is not a refund.

Wonder if it would do any good to call my local Sen. Boxer's office?

[TwixVoy]

9. I don't mean to sound harsh,

but if you owe taxes you need to pay them and I don't think the feds should be sending anyone money who hasn't. Be lucky they aren't after your home.

I am hurting for money too - along with everyone else who isn't upper class - but I paid my taxes. You are not special in being exempt from having to pay them.

Think of this on a positive note - that money went to pay the taxes you owe, so that's one less bill to worry about.

[greenbriar]

10. self=righteous much?

jebus

[TwixVoy]

11. Not really

Millions of us pay our taxes every year. I am supposed to be upset because the IRS kept a stimulus check from someone who didn't? Nope.

[doodadem]

17. Ah, self-righteous, AND bitchy!

I'm not in a mood to be nice:

When you've had to refinance your home 3 times in 3 years to pay for attorneys to combat unscrupulous neighbors trying to take your property (some $200K worth of fees), when you're self-employed and your business is going in the tank between yet another Bush recession and the stress/anxiety from the lawsuit, you're also helping to keep two disabled parents going, AND then--your spouse also loses a job they've been in for 7 years-------

Then you can be as self-righteous and sanctimonious as you want about people who have to make payment arrangements for their taxes. Till then, don't take up space in a forum that is generally informative and supportive, and STFU!

[TwixVoy]

20. I was homeless for two years

I really don't give a damn that you have the money for 200K in attorney fees, (I have never had that kind of money to spend) yet don't pay your taxes.

[AP]

23. What sort of claim are your neighbors bringing against you?

[greenbriar]

19. no, you are supposed to be concerned and empathetic

not an asshole

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

12. off topic, but jebus...

funny thing I noticed I started saying jebus and I have know idea where I picked it up from :eyes:

I really don't spend THAT much time here @D.U., do I?? :silly:

[EOTE]

13. It's from a Simpsons episode.

Homer gets sent somewhere in the South Pacific to become a missionary after he's driven out of town by a very angry PBS due to making a donation pledge he didn't keep. When he finds out where he's going, he says "But I don't even believe in Jeebus!"
A bit later, when in a dangerous spot, he says "Jeebus, Allah, Buddha, I love you all!!!!!!!!".

[Milo_Bloom]

14. Actually, it is a refund... a refund advance.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/02/08/pf/taxes/rebates_what_you_need_to_know/index.htm?section=money_topstories

Your rebate is a one-time tax cut - an advance on a credit you'll receive on your 2008 return.

[high density]

18. If you owe them money, why do you expect a payout?

Like the post above says, it's money from a one-time tax cut. Instead of getting it in 2009 after filing taxes for 2008, we're getting it now.

[Robbien]

6. We are not following instructions and going out stimulating the economy

by buying a bunch of useless junk

So the IRS is getting a bit snippy. No check for you.

[CountAllVotes]

7. you are right!

My god, I just got back from going into town to do some shopping as there was no food to be found here in this house. And, so I went.

There were hardly any cars "in town" (normally jammed on a Saturday). I went to Mervyn's to buy a couple of pairs of badly needed pants. There was no one much at the mall either nor in Mervyn's.

I then began my journey home and made a wrong turn on a one-way street (YIKES!). Luckily there was no one in town to see me do this and I got away with it luckily.

It is really depressing in town and there were a lot of people standing around with signs that said "BROKE" on them. :(

When will We the People say ENOUGH?

:kick:

[Crabby Appleton]

8. From the IRS website

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=182003,00.html

Q. I'm eligible for a payment but I still owe federal income tax from a prior year. Will my payment be reduced?

A. Yes. For this purpose, the stimulus payment is treated like any other tax refund. This means that part or all of your payment can be used to pay past-due federal or state income taxes or non-tax federal debt such as student loans and child support.

[bean fidhleir]

15. The IRS collects 99% of the tax working people owe...but only 70% of the tax owed by the rich

This is according to their own estimate. The rich have ways not only to *reduce* their tax, but to dodge it entirely.

[tammywammy]

21. They've said all along that if you owed money your stimulus check would be applied to that balance

:shrug:

[Liberal_in_LA]

22. sorry to hear that doodadem. n/t