Thursday, February 19, 2009

how's your tax return coming, des?

So glad you asked.

Remember my old job, the one that laid me off by avoiding my calls and not actually telling me? Where at least a third of my paychecks bounced? Well in those paychecks, they took out taxes. Therefore they need to send me a W2 so I can square things with the IRS. So when the deadline rolled around and I didn't get my W2, I started making calls.

More specifically, I emailed and called multiple times. I left messages. Once I actually got through and spoke with my old boss. He said he would "call me right back." I never once got a phone call or any kind of response. I tried multiple times. I contacted ex-coworkers - they hadn't heard anything either.

Eventually I gave up on them and just decided I would get the numbers of my last pay stub. But, for some unknown reason, the employer's tax ID number was not on my pay stubs. My resident accountant (Jay's mom) says I need this number, since I'm not actually getting a "tax refund" per se. (I made so little last year, what with the only being employed for 3 months, that I qualify for an Earned Income Credit, which is different than a refund.)

So I begin again what I know to be a fruitless pursuit. I call, I email. I speak with the oher boss, who tells me - surprise - he'll call me right back. He does not. Jay and I decide to take a drive down to the place of business. The building they were in while I was there is completely empty and the company's name is gone. The building they were "moving into" has a different company name on the door. We drive around a bit and I don't see any cars that I recognize. I try calling the other boss again - ok, that was a lie. Jay tries calling the other boss, but from my phone. It goes to voicemail. So now both of them know which number(s) to avoid.

I've tried researching on the internet to find this tax ID number, but since it was such a small company it didn't show up in any records that I had access to. I tried calling the payroll company that did our checks, but they kept insisting I call HR of the employer, not understanding or caring that I can't get a hold of them and that's why this is a problem.

So I am still fuming. A call to the IRS will be made tomorrow, but I don't know if that will actually help me get my money that I so desperately need. It will make me feel better if they go (back) to jail, but smug feelings of vengeance don't pay my bills.

9 comments:

mar said...

sorry, that sucks.
s is still waiting on his military version of the w2 to do his frackin' taxes.

Count Mockula said...

Oh man, that sucks ass.

LittlePea said...

Oh DES! I'm out for just a few days and your cat is in training, you're a little more purple-which I love by the way and the former boss is being shady with your w2. Why can't they just give you their tax code....

super des said...

Pea, you know you can't take a blog break. :)

Anonymous said...

W2 forms are supposed to be out by Jan. 31. Therefore they are in violation of federal law. Please do report them to the IRS.

It is possible they might not have a federal tax ID. If so, they again have violated some federal laws if they hired employees.

super des said...

The boss has been in jail for check fraud before, so it wouldn't surprise me.

mdog said...

shaaaaaaady.

call the secretary of state, too.

Monkey Girl Crafts said...

The secretary of state will be able to provide the fed tax id #. I would also contact the state tax authority not sure what it is in michigan and they should be able to provide the info, also you can report the employer for failing to adhere to federal law by providing a w-2 by 1/31. If you need more help let me know, I am pretty good about finding stuff like this. (monkeygirl)

super des said...

Alright guys, I talked to the IRS on Friday and the lady was really helpful. She said I don't *need* the tax ID#, but I do have to mail in everything instead of e-filing, so they have a copy of my last check. The IRS will launch an investigation when they see I don't have my w2 (and I included a full explanation of my efforts), and if the company's records don't match mine (if they file at all) that will be another red flag. At some point I'll contact the MI dept. of labor and lodge a formal complaint with them as well.

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