OT: Help - Can't Register Car Because a Town I Never Lived in Says I Owe Tax
- Thread starter dogpause
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What are they taxing you on, vehicle(s) or a house?
If it's a car, produce the bill or receipts for the taxes paid on the car in the town you lived in for the time period they are taxing you. If you have the registration/insurance for the vehicle and it shows a different address for the same time period that could help.
If it's a house, produce proof of residence, but also research the ownership of the house for that time period. The assessor can show you how to look up the property, which will have the owners listed, you can then take that to the tax collector to prove someone else owned it.
Husky25
Dink & Dunk beat the Greatest Show on Turf.
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The town you lived in should have receipts from that far back. Call the Clerk of that town.
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"Sell" the vehicle to your wife as a gift (no sales tax--just fill out another form at DMV) and have her register the car. I've done this before (not for a tax problem). Some clerks will threaten you with a tax audit (they're bluffing) but tell 'em to stick it and ask to speak to their supervisor. You'll still have to solve the problem with you but it means you don't have to rush.
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Glad it worked out. It took me all day between the lines, getting temp. plates, driving to Midas to get emissions and then returning to get my regular plates. Mine wasn't spouse to spouse and the car was not a cheapie so the clerk became thoroughly obnoxious on taxes. It was a legitimate gift, however, and that's why I got severely angry. We pay enough taxes here without paying those we don't really owe.
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I think it's wonderful that no statute of limitations applies to government entities placing de facto liens on your belongings for alleged events happening in a decade not immediately preceding today.
It's this sort of trust in government resisting abuse of authority that helps me feel good about paying taxes to support myself, my family, and a handful of my neighbors.
It's this sort of trust in government resisting abuse of authority that helps me feel good about paying taxes to support myself, my family, and a handful of my neighbors.
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Yup, it happened to my mother in law a few years ago and it was a real hassle. The best thing you can do is go to the tax collector in the town claiming you owe taxes and don't take no for an answer. Make sure you get something in writing. Then you get to go to DMV and spend the better part of the day. I'd go with you but I'm busy that day
. Good luck, you'll need it.
Husky25
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Your problem is not solved. Theoretically you still "owe" tax.
Computers existed in 2002, as did computerized records. Get a receipt from the town to which you paid taxes in 2002. It will have the Grand List date and taxes paid date. Property taxes cannot be charged by two municipal jurisdictions for the same period.
I'm surprised that the clerk for the town charging the phantom tax is being so obstinate. They personally don't have any skin in the game and should be a bit more helpful.
I had something similar happen when I moved from Manchester to my current residence. Manchester kept insisting that I owed even after I changed my address with the DMV. The Clerk told me exactly what I needed to prove to them that I did not owe taxes. Unfortunately, the burden of proof is on you.
Computers existed in 2002, as did computerized records. Get a receipt from the town to which you paid taxes in 2002. It will have the Grand List date and taxes paid date. Property taxes cannot be charged by two municipal jurisdictions for the same period.
I'm surprised that the clerk for the town charging the phantom tax is being so obstinate. They personally don't have any skin in the game and should be a bit more helpful.
I had something similar happen when I moved from Manchester to my current residence. Manchester kept insisting that I owed even after I changed my address with the DMV. The Clerk told me exactly what I needed to prove to them that I did not owe taxes. Unfortunately, the burden of proof is on you.
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Thanks again for the outpouring of advice and empathy. The Boneyard is a great place, full of friends, and it's a lot more than just a sports hangout.
Husky25, you're absolutely right, the problem still exists, what we've done is bought time and the use of our vehicle.
We've been working with Wallingford and Bristol to resolve this for the future, but it's terrible that the burden of proof is on you. Also, isn't there a statute of limitations on this kind of thing? Who keeps records for 12 years, or should be expected to?
Husky25, you're absolutely right, the problem still exists, what we've done is bought time and the use of our vehicle.
We've been working with Wallingford and Bristol to resolve this for the future, but it's terrible that the burden of proof is on you. Also, isn't there a statute of limitations on this kind of thing? Who keeps records for 12 years, or should be expected to?
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