WTF? State of California taking money out of my checking acct?

[JamesL]

A levy is usually issued on an account with 21 days notice. This affords the account holder the opportunity to present proof that the debt has already been satisfied, but once this claim has been made against your account, you cannot touch this money. On your daily account inquiries, your bank will list your total balance and your available balance which will differ at least the amount of any lien.

This is how the IRS operates (first hand experience).

 

[BSAM]

Quote from JamesL:

...This is how the IRS operates...

IRS: The biggest terrorist threat to citizens of this country.
(There's more than one way to create terror.)

 

[icarus618]

Quote from JamesL:

A levy is usually issued on an account with 21 days notice. This affords the account holder the opportunity to present proof that the debt has already been satisfied, but once this claim has been made against your account, you cannot touch this money. On your daily account inquiries, your bank will list your total balance and your available balance which will differ at least the amount of any lien.

This is how the IRS operates (first hand experience).

Personally I have never had issues with the IRS. The California FTB is much more aggressive than the IRS in every way. Its attitude is to take the money first and leave it up to the taxpayer to get it back.

 

[Tsing Tao]

Quote from icarus618:

Personally I have never had issues with the IRS. The California FTB is much more aggressive than the IRS in every way. Its attitude is to take the money first and leave it up to the taxpayer to get it back.

I agree, I never had any issues with the IRS. And I certainly did not get any 21 day notice in this case.

 

[Tsing Tao]

Final update.

Finally got the letter from the tax authority detailing that it was their mistake, and the reversal in my BoA account. BoA still, however, would not reverse their $100 fee. They told me it was non-refundable, despite me telling them that the whole thing was a mistake, and providing proof. They didn't care.

I closed my account yesterday, and the woman who closed it with me didn't even care. No customer service, no sympathy for the situation, nothing.

Closed my Merryl Lynch account, my checking account, and will get rid of the credit card just as soon as I get the cash rebate in points (it's like $500 so I don't want to throw it away).

Fuck Bank of America.

 

[gwb-trading]

This situation normally occurs because an illegal immigrant has stolen and is using your social security number. The illegals file tax forms where they withhold no taxes on their income.

This leaves you (by Social Security Number) stuck with the tax bill at both the federal and state level.

My family is also a victim of this issue.

 

[blackjack007]

Quote from Tsing Tao:

Final update.

Finally got the letter from the tax authority detailing that it was their mistake, and the reversal in my BoA account. BoA still, however, would not reverse their $100 fee. They told me it was non-refundable, despite me telling them that the whole thing was a mistake, and providing proof. They didn't care.

Fuck Bank of America.

Why would BofA refund the $100 fee when it wasn't their mistake? The one you should be pissed at and threatening to take to small claims court is the state of Calif. they fucked up, not BofA

But this thread was good learning. I will never link my normal checking account with any service that can take money from it. Maybe create a temporary account with an internet bank, then use it for 3-4 years, then close it and create a new one

 

[JamesL]

Quote from Tsing Tao:

... and will get rid of the credit card just as soon as I get the cash rebate in points (it's like $500 so I don't want to throw it away).

Fuck Bank of America.

Be careful there - closing your credit card will ding your credit score, particularly if you have had it a while.

 

[Kathyypham]

Update.

I called the number listed for the California Franchise Tax Board. It said the next rep would be with me in 1.5 hours, or it could call me back. So I did the call back. Calls me back in an hour and a half. I wait for another 20 min. Finally some dope picks up the phone and gets my info. Says "That's not the address I have on this account" and hangs right up! WTF

So I googled around and found another number randomly. Called and the lady asked how I got this number. I told her the story and how I got hung up on. She tells me this number is for legislators who have tax issues they need resolution on. I told her I wasn't a legislator but explained my issue and she said she'd help me this once. Dug into the file, found that the name wasn't even my name. It was close, but also had a note that read something like "match with IRS SSN by name" and said that someone must have did a typo and got my SSN.

She stated she would resolve the issue and gave me her phone number directly for future reference, and said she'd fax over to the bank to put a delay on the hold note until she could resolve it internally.

She was wonderful.

I am still stunned how a simple error like that can cause someone to reach into your private bank account and just take money!

Omg ! I just recieved the same mail today on the withhold from CA Franchise Tax Board . Im wondering if you can give me the number of the lady whom you talk with or the number that you called so i can get my issue resolved as well. Thanks !

 

[Tsing Tao]

Omg ! I just recieved the same mail today on the withhold from CA Franchise Tax Board . Im wondering if you can give me the number of the lady whom you talk with or the number that you called so i can get my issue resolved as well. Thanks !

Was two years ago, sorry. I don't recall the number. What I do remember is that the lady helped politicians who had tax issues, not the general public. She just was nice enough to do me a favor. But I do remember I got it from googling.