The various tax collecting agencies can easily send me in an assertive letter writing direction. This year my correspondence came from the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Their letter, complete with columns of numbers comparing what my tax return said I paid, what they show that they received, and the difference, is designed to demonstrate to me how I have made an egregious accounting error.
My check to them was for $1.00 less than my accountant reported on my tax forms, so rather than confuse the process for next year, I sent $1.00 to the state of Georgia, leaving my overpay from 2010 to apply to 2011.
What I wonder is how they could have $XX,XXX dollars floating around and not recognize an accounting problem on their part?
I feel angry that I have to take my time to ask the bank for a copy of the check front and back (it's done by email but still takes time); that I have to write this letter; and that I have to recognize how poorly accounting may be handled by my state. However, it will do me no good to be angry in my response to the state.
In many assertive opportunities, it's more important to be assertive respectfully than it is worth it to be angry.
So I wrote them an assertive letter simply reporting the facts to correct their error. The key word here is SIMPLE - when you are writing government agencies about money, always simply list facts and then what you would like to occur as a result of the facts you are reporting:
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Their letter, complete with columns of numbers comparing what my tax return said I paid, what they show that they received, and the difference, is designed to demonstrate to me how I have made an egregious accounting error.
My check to them was for $1.00 less than my accountant reported on my tax forms, so rather than confuse the process for next year, I sent $1.00 to the state of Georgia, leaving my overpay from 2010 to apply to 2011.
What I wonder is how they could have $
I feel angry that I have to take my time to ask the bank for a copy of the check front and back (it's done by email but still takes time); that I have to write this letter; and that I have to recognize how poorly accounting may be handled by my state. However, it will do me no good to be angry in my response to the state.
In many assertive opportunities, it's more important to be assertive respectfully than it is worth it to be angry.
So I wrote them an assertive letter simply reporting the facts to correct their error. The key word here is SIMPLE - when you are writing government agencies about money, always simply list facts and then what you would like to occur as a result of the facts you are reporting:
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To Whom it My Concern:
I am in receipt of your letter dated 10/17/2011. Your letter fails to include the taxes I paid
on April 15 in anticipation of an extension.
I am enclosing a copy front and back of my check for $XXXXX which was
cashed by you on April 25, 2011.
I apparently owe you $1.00 which I am enclosing a check
to cover.
Because my taxes were paid on time and in a timely way
with an excess overpaid to apply to next year, I do not owe you the penalty and
interest which you have assessed.
Please find enclosed a check for $1.00 and a copy of my
check cashed by you for $XXXXX.
Thank you for clearing up this matter,
Linda D Tillman, PhD
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If you write the IRS or your state department of revenue, you always enclose your SSN, which I did, but that is not apparent in my copy for you of this letter. Also because I moved in 2011, I put my old and new address below my signature in case that is the source of their error (although my SSN stayed the same????).
