Just wanted to report a great success with fighting with the IRS. My bus and persnl bankaccounts were levied due to a delinquent 1996 tax bill. I had made arrangements to pay and was paying until I got laid off in May 2003. I contacted the IRS who said "no problem" and that I should contact them once I started working. Well, I started my own business. Anyway, I found out on Friday, April 16 that my bank accounts were levied. I crawled to the Creditnet Board and posted about my dilemna. I recieved fantastic help. I was really please because I do not have the funds to hire special counsel. I don't deny I owe the debt but I can't pay it in one lump sum. Anyway, I called the IRS on Monday, April 19 armed with information from the board. I hit them with their violation of the notice provision. The officer tried to tell me that it may be too late to get the money back if the bank has already sent it. I said, "hogwash." The bank is supposed to hold it for 21 days (thx creditnet) and I wanted it returned asap because of the substantial hardship it would cause me if I did not have the levied funds. The slickeroo thing that the IRS did was state that the levy took place on April 7 (not true!)They actually levied on April 16th. I could not respond until Monday, April 19 which meant that the 21 day period of escrow was evaporating quickly. After the IRS representative in collections and I hashed it out, she finally consented to returning faxing a release of levy to my bank (BofA). She actually got off the phone saying that she was faxing at while I waited. She lied. I called my bank the next day. My bank confirmed that no release had been faxed. I had been had. I then called the IRS again on April 20th. Another woman looked at the notes and said she was faxing the release while I waited (sure she was). The next day on the 20th, I called my bank and lo and behold, the mighty IRS had replaced the funds minus their levy service charge (aargh!). I was elated. If it had not been for the very savvy creditnetters, I would have tucked my tail between my legs and would have just chalked it up to experience. PS: I should add that I agreed to an extension. I have a 180 day extension. If I cannot pay, I must contact the IRS before the 180 days are up and make a payment plan. If I do that-and I will- I will not be levied upon again. The other alternative is to institute a payment plan to avoid further levies. But then, you must start paying immediately. I plan to wipe out some debt and THEN start paying.
Having ben through a similar ordeal, some advice: 1) Get it in writing (through your payment agreement) that NO IRS LIEN will be filed, or reported on your credit reports. 2) Keep a copy of everything! These things have their own way of getting messed up, and they will always ask if you have "copies or documentation" 3) Keep meticulous notes on every conversation and exchange. Again, #2 above. But be sure to get it written into your payment arrangement that NOTHING will be reported to your credit reports, and NO lien will be filed!!
I actually asked them to fax me their notations about our exchange and they refused. They gave me some mess about identity theft etc. So, the question for me is how do you force the IRS give you something in writing when they don' want to. I took copious notes and got badge numbers but the rest is my word against their words.
Dolly, Good job! The IRS is slow but they usually come through. They should send you some paperwork but if not and you feel uneasy then call your TA. I know how we ALL feel about the IRS but when I deal with them I put myself in their shoes. Can you imagine having to work for the IRS...(gagging). So I am always polite, I always say thank you, I always tell them I appreciate their help on whatever matter is on hand...and I usually get it done. Persistence is the key but combine it with some regard for the nasty job they have to do. They are just doin' their job. Didn't it feel great to get your money back!!! clc
You took all your money out of the bank now, right? If not, I would. And I wouldn't put any in there until this is all done.
I have a question about an IRS Tax Lien. Hope you don't get mad about the hijack of this thread.... ( Anyway, back in 2002 DH had a FTL put onto his CR when they were starting garnishment. However, we called and made payment arrangements and have been paying them ever since. Shouldn't the IRS withdraw the tax lien since we made payment arrangements or even show it as released?? Thanks for the input. Byteme
The IRS will not release a lien until the tax is paid in full. What they did was release the "levy" and entered into a payment plan with DH. Once the tax is paid in full the lien is released but it will stay on his credit reports for 7 more years notated as "released". clc PS once the tax is paid in full it takes a few calls (and in some cases a lot of calls) to get them to record the release. So be prepared!
I feel great about getting the money back! I cannot really take it out of the bank b/c I'm in bizness. I do plan to change banks after I set up a payment plan tho'.
