FML

[verloren1983]

So I have a short list of questions from Krim to get through, and I should probably do at least a minor update, but I've got to talk through this first, because it's the thing that's weighing most heavily on my brain as of this afternoon.

To rewind a little bit, I do my taxes online. Partially because it's easier that way, partially because I'm poor and therefore am able to do both state and federal for free online, partially because I don't have a clue and online software walks me through it. (For the record, these are legit online sites, not some sketchy deal, I swear. I'm not that stupid. XD) So when I did my taxes this year, it informed me that I got a $200 educational credit for my state taxes. I was pleasantly surprised because with no 2013 income I wasn't expecting any sort of refund, but hey, that's money I can use, woohoo! So on it went on my tax returns.

I got a letter a week ago (I thought it was earlier, but apparently not- the letter is dated May 20th) that said they did an adjustment on my tax returns and I don't actually get the credit. Okay, fine. I'm not going to argue- as I said, it's not like I know what I'm doing here and I wasn't expecting the credit to begin with. It's not like they're saying I owe money or anything, so whatever. It says nothing about having to do anything about this, just "oops, you don't get any money, sorry about that."

Then today I got another letter (dated for May 27th- exactly a week later, you'll note) that I'm being audited for that credit. And that, by the way, I can be "billed" for the credited amount and I have to justify why I got the credit.

Except, um, I didn't? They just sent me a letter a week ago to that effect. I never got any money, I even double checked my checking account back to before I did my taxes. No deposits from them. How the hell am I supposed to justify getting a credit that I didn't actually get? I wasn't trying to cheat anybody, and I never argued that I deserved the credit. I was totally willing to be like, yeah, okay, obviously the website was wrong, sorry. Just. Ungh.

I talked to Ai about it briefly and she thinks that it's some kind of computer/clerical error, at least based on what I told her via text, since I wasn't about to lay out the entire thing that way. I'm hoping so. Seriously, I can't afford for them to decide to take $200 plus whatever fees from me just because I can't defend myself. >_< I'm going to try to call them tomorrow, because that would likely achieve the quickest results and, you know, the ability to talk to a real person would probably go in my favor here. Even though I'm super freaked out about calling and I'm afraid I'll fuck things up even worse.

GAH. I'm wishing I'd just skipped it on the stupid form. Fuck me.

Comments

[inoru_no_hoshi]

Eek. Hope you can get it sorted out without too much fuss. <3

[verloren1983]

Me too, thanks. <3

[anon_jrpg_fangirl]

I hope it gets sorted out soon! I think your bank account statements can prove that they never gave you the money and hopefully that is enough for them.

[verloren1983]

Me too, thanks! I can provide bank statements, though I'd prefer not to (it's none of their business how I spend my money), but hopefully giving them all the numbers on both letters will clear everything up. *fingers crossed*

[februaryfour]

Now that I've seen the story, seriously, you'll be fine. *patpat* Don't do the calling thing, though. What does the audit letter say exactly? Does it want you to submit anything? If it does, make a copy of the letter denying the credit and write a letter saying that you never received the credit, and mail it back. Phone is not a good way to deal with audits unless you are specifically told to use the phone--you don't want to have to deal with randomly crossed wires.

If you don't know what to do, scan me the letters and I'll give you a step by step. ♥

BTW, don't put it off. You usually have a time limit to respond to these things. ^_^;

[verloren1983]

Yeah, I'm supposed to fill out a "questionnaire" that they sent along with the letter. As far as what it says, it's probably easier to just email you the pdf I scanned. XD (I was already planning on doing it anyway for both, always good to have that kind of stuff!) I'll do that in a minute.

By the way, the edit totally made me crack up. I was like, wow, clearly she knows me too well. XD And yeah, it's 30 days, so. I know I need to get on this.

[februaryfour]

You have my e-mail, go ahead and send it along if you want to.

(XD Yeah, I was all, "I sure hope she knows she has to get on this ASAP because going past the deadline is like an admission of guilt when it comes to court issues because it can be construed as you sticking your head in the sand hoping the problem goes away because you can't fix it...")

Seriously, deal with it ASAP, do not put it off. You don't want to deal with the REAL problem that pops up when you put it off and you miss the deadline. _I_ don't want to deal with that. DO NOT MISS THE DEADLINE. I am not kidding.

[verloren1983]

I sent it shortly after I made the comment. ^_^

[februaryfour]

You did? Um... What email did you use?

[verloren1983]

Uh, alchow@gmail? It's the address that came up for you. XD

[februaryfour]

Um, it's not in my e-mail.