Sojourner
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2012
- Messages
- 2,597
Yesterday I received an "Official Assessment and Demand for Payment" from my state's Department of Revenue. They claim that I owe an estimated tax underpayment penalty for 2014. After reading through the letter very carefully and then going back and checking my ET payment records, I'm certain that I did pay all est. taxes on time and this is some sort of clerical error.
However... here's the rub. First, the penalty is only for $25. Second, in order to appeal this, I have to compile a bunch of documentation, fill out some forms, and mail all this to 3 different departments via certified mail. The mailing fees alone will be at least $5 or $6, I'm guessing, not to mention the aggravation and time spent compiling the docs and dealing with the post office.
What really irks me is not the $25, which of course is pretty trivial in the grand scheme. It's just the blatant unfairness of it, when I know I've done everything right and shouldn't owe this penalty at all. I have documented proof that I paid all estimated taxes on time, but the appeals process is so bureaucratic and time consuming that it's really not even worth the effort. If I did appeal, it would be primarily to claim a moral victory over an inept government agency. On the other hand, if I just pay it, then I'm essentially supporting these clowns and their broken process which will likely contribute to its continuing to happen to other innocent taxpayers down the line.
Just curious, what would you do in my situation?
However... here's the rub. First, the penalty is only for $25. Second, in order to appeal this, I have to compile a bunch of documentation, fill out some forms, and mail all this to 3 different departments via certified mail. The mailing fees alone will be at least $5 or $6, I'm guessing, not to mention the aggravation and time spent compiling the docs and dealing with the post office.
What really irks me is not the $25, which of course is pretty trivial in the grand scheme. It's just the blatant unfairness of it, when I know I've done everything right and shouldn't owe this penalty at all. I have documented proof that I paid all estimated taxes on time, but the appeals process is so bureaucratic and time consuming that it's really not even worth the effort. If I did appeal, it would be primarily to claim a moral victory over an inept government agency. On the other hand, if I just pay it, then I'm essentially supporting these clowns and their broken process which will likely contribute to its continuing to happen to other innocent taxpayers down the line.
Just curious, what would you do in my situation?