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jean48329 · Oct 19, 2006, 07:30 AM

I was notified approximately a year ago that I owed approximately 250.00 in tax, due to my purchasing cigarettes online. The taxes in MIchigan on them are astronomical.. and being a single Mom, permanently disabled and with only SSD as income, you try to save every penny you can! I know ignorance is not an excuse with the Treasury Dept. unbeknownst to me, a law had gone into effect disallowing the purchase of Cigarettes online for residence of MIchigan, unless you claim them... well, I don't file a tax return because of my income status.. so the total due was 1544.49 due, that's with fines and penalties. I requested an itemization, because the amount of tax they were charging me seemed extreme, even with MIchigan's standards... waited, waited... never received... finally received a phone call this past May... ok. Look, I just want to pay on this damn thing, it's not going to go away, so I told them, I can only afford 5.00 or so, if I have more, I'll send it. That was fine. I volunteered my social, bank info, etc. and paid religiously, every month... in August, they wanted more info... I filled out the form, sent it in with my check. Well they cashed the check, but claim "you never sent in the information, therefore, we don't have a "payment agreement"., so we had no choice but to place a lien on your bank account". After I put my heart back in my chest (I'm trying to make this short, but make sure I cover everything) They've agreed to release "Part" of my money back... I told them, I only have SSD!! Well, because my son, who is in College, has a little bank account that he put his paychecks in from working a job over the summer for spending money for school, and my name was on the account... they kept what was left in his account... and at one time, two months ago, he "loaned" me 150.00, transferring from his account to mine. The Treasury knew they were in the wrong, but searched and searched for a justification for the lien, and this is how they determined "you had additional income".! I have to believe this is wrong... I have paid them every month, be it only 5.00, but it was showing good faith... now they just sent me the same form I filled out in August and sent in with the check they cashed... Is this legal?? Please, for my own sanity... can anyone help me with solid information?
Thank you ever so much... I've been so stressed out I can barely move, I have had no money for a week since they pulled this on me.. they pulled every dime I had! :mad:

mr.yet · Oct 19, 2006, 07:52 AM

If Nothing Else File A Compliant With The Governor, Attorney General And Any Comsumer Right Groups In Your State. Explain To Them You Problem, Call Governor Office If You Can.

AtlantaTaxExpert · Oct 19, 2006, 10:52 AM

Agree with Mr. Yet.

However, if you also made phone calls to the local newspapers and got a story written about what happened, I suspect you would get more immediate relief.

Also, a nationally syndicated consumer advocate based here in Atlanta named Clark Howard would probably be interested in hearing from you. His staff will investigate your case and, if it has merit, then go to bat for you.

His website is www.clarkhoward.com.

mr.yet · Oct 23, 2006, 04:52 AM

Use the local paper, Letter to the Editor

jean48329 · Oct 23, 2006, 08:53 AM

Well, the net result of all of this nightmare, so far, the "elected officials" aren't touching this one... not a one.. not the " office", state senator, not a one! It's no darn wonder this state is in such a "nightmarish" economical situation... with elected officials like this, who needs thieves... we've elected them! It's been almost comical trying to reason with these idiots... absolutely phenomenal what some of these people will hold to be the truth! I am astounded... but not through yet! No pun intended, Mr. Yet! I am going to the Media now, it appears it and finding an attorney through legal aid will be my only way to make things "right"... How sad... I wouldn't be so adamant if I knew that I had provided all this information to them and had been making monthly payments to them, and the way I've been treated, been laughed at by some of the "officials".. I am through! I will not put up with being treated this way... this is supposed to be a Democracy, not a Dictatorship... and to save their own skin, I have never witnessed individuals dig so hard to justify their actions! Be that as it may, I will persevere and follow up with all of the suggestions... but as a strong suggestion to anyone on Social Security, Disability or Retirement, with a tax bill due... do not under any circumstances deposit any, any or any CASH into your account.. it is your "burden" and not even the most obvious evidence will be believed... the treasury department will do as they wish...
I loved this state... now I can see why people have left it in droves! I may be the on the next train out!
Thank you all for your input!