While pulling my Experian report last I noticed the state I live in entered a new public record on my report for $500 unpaid state taxes. The thing is I was never notified about it, and after speaking with the courthouse, they said they â??attemptedâ?? deliver of judgment and was unsuccessful, but they â??are not required to do so before entering the record on my reportâ?. So can anyone help me understand: 1)How can the state pass judgment without notifying me and giving me a chance to pay the bill before recording it? 2)I paid the money because I owed it, but now have a letter stating the debt is satisfied. The state will not remove it from my credit report, only change the status to satisfied. Can I get this removed otherwise? And if so, how? 3)How bad does a satisfied judgment look on my report for getting a mortgage or car loan? How much does it affect my FICO? Is this something I should be very concerned about? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
It knocks the heck out of your FICO (satisfied or not) and yes, it is something you should be concerned about. Do anything you can to get it removed. Some of the more seasoned CNetters may have suggestions regarding approach.
You say you were never notified. Notified of the judgment or the tax bill? If you were never notified of the tax bill you should make sure that your address is correct on the deed at the local register's of deeds office. You might wan to have the extended zip code included.
Re: Re: Satis. judgment for taxes BAD? I was not notified of the judgment. I was sent a couple of tax bills, but did not respond quickly enough, apparently.
lB, both you and Sheepshead said I should be concerned about it, but did not give any details. OK, now that my weekend sucks because I had this added and am told that I should be concerned, what specifically should I do? Is there a goodwill letter or dispute process that has been successful in this type of a situation? Should I be concerned because this will keep me from getting a mortgage? Thanks for your help.
Mike: What I would do is find out who your state's tax commissioner is, along with his/her address. Then I'd draft a goodwill letter (see samples by doing a search), professionally stating your case. I would not send it CRRR because that may be construed to be aggressive. If that doesn't work, I suggest communicating with your local congressional representative. As a constituent, you have every right to use this resource. If that fails, hire an attorney (make sure there's a $$$ cap to the fee) - hopefully one who's connected or knows a colleague connected in your state's government. Some may suggest taking a more forceful approach. My feeling is that there's always time for that. It's the old sugar vs. vinegar thing. I'm sorry you're in this position and I know that it's painful, but since this will stick with you for 7 years you must deal with it a.s.a.p. The important thing is to pull a Valvano - never give up. You must be persistent, yet professional. That's what I'd do if it were me.
Re: Re: Satis. judgment for taxes BAD? Thanks Sheepshead for your reply and help. It would seem there is a quicker way than what you stated. I haven't exploited all my options with the court yet I'm sure, but I just need to know what they all are before I go back there next week. There has got to be a way to vacate the judgment without a long drawn out process of contacting my state representation. I was doing some searching on this site and found that several CNs have been able to successfully vacate judgments, but I found very little "how-to's" in the postings. I feel that since I was never served or sent mail regarding the judgment, that I would at least have some grounds to fight on.
Re: Re: Satis. judgment for taxes BAD? That's fine. I don't care which method you use, just *don't give up* and let us know what happens.
Re: Re: Re: Satis. judgment for taxes BAD? As LB pointed out, improper service is a good way to get a judgment vacated. First things first. (Sorry its the weekend). You need to get a copy of the judgment and see if they served you properly based on the laws of your state.
Re: Re: Re: Satis. judgment for taxes BAD? 500 unpaid state taxes. cma ============= What were these taxes for? Is this at you present or former address? THE END ** *** ** LB 59
But since this will stick with you for 7 years you must deal with it a.s.a.p. Sheepshead ================ Judgments and public records report on your credit for 10 years not 7. THE END ** *** ** LB 59
Re: Re: Satis. judgment for taxes BAD? Information excluded from credit reports: FCRA 605 (a)(3) Paid tax liens which, from date of payment, antedate the report by more than 7 years. Based on his other post under the heading BILL BAUER, this issue deals with a satisfied tax lien in Kansas - not a judgment which COULD have made a time difference depending on whether Kansas' SOL for such an item exceeds 7 years. If longer, the state's time would have governed.
