Alabama guy/I recived a ltr from AMO Recoveries Col agency. They say I didn't file State taxes in 1995?

Question

In 1995 I lived in Georgia. I don't have any recollection if I filed or not. They say they will garnish wages if I don't pay 2,583.84 within 30 days.... I looked at my W2s from that year and saw I paid 560.00(State Taxes) into the system that year ( 22k year job). They say they represent the Georgia Dpt of Revenue. What can I do..I survive off $800 disablity income at present.

Answer 1

Contact the Georgia Dept of Revenue to find out if the Coll Agcy is legit, and if so, why GA thinks you owe so much.
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Answer 2

Although some states (and even the IRS) have turned over some collection efforts to private collection agencies there has been a LOT of fraud resulting from this. Scam artists immediately recognized the opportunity to strong-arm folks for bogus "tax collections" and frequently claim to hold collection authority for old tax debts. They realize that people won't have tax returns and records that old and figure, sometimes correctly, that people will just pay.

Contact the GA DOR and ask if their records show that you owe them anything. Even if their records show that you do, the statute of limitiations on collection of a tax debt that old has probably already past. In that case, GA and the collection agent can both pound salt. Most lileky the folks at the GA DOR will have no clue what you're talking about. In that case, contact your local police department's Fraud Squad and turn the letter over to them.

FYI, commercial collection agencies can NOT garnish wages even on behalf of a government tax collection effort. They would have to sue you for the amount in question and get a judgment first. (The state doesn't have to do that which is why it's stupid that some have turned collection over to private firms, but I digress on that point.)

If you do anything at all, send them a certified letter demanding Verification of Debt. Don't ask for anything else. Don't admit to the debt or even claim you don't owe it. ONLY ask for Verification of Debt. Odds on bet, you'll never hear from them again.

Answer 3

tear your house apart looking for your tax papers, or go to the preparer you usually use. The state of GA is notorious for losing things! Believe me! I work with this problem daily. If you can find the paper, send them a photocopy of it with a very polite letter explaining that you did file and ask them to correct and cancel the debt. If you get another letter from them, call and ask whether they got the letter you sent. Try to get a name and deal with the same person each time you call. If you did not file state taxes that year, talk to a good CPA and see what they can do for you. They might be able to get a big part of it taken off for you. Good Luck!