From: Gurnee, Il

Dear TaxMama,

Due to declining health, my parents gave me power of attorney with the IRS. So now all financial mail including tax information is sent to them in care of me at my Illinois address.

They live in Florida.

For 2003, the state of Illinois in 2003 claimed, because of the address on their IRS Tax Form, that they owed Illinois taxes. Or IL wants proof they were not residents.

Proof they say they would accept is evidence that they are paying taxes to another state. Since Florida has no income tax, my parents can't provide such proof of

However, we did provide Florida driver's license, car registration, voter’s cards and fishing license showing they live in Florida.

Illinois' Dept. of Revenue never responded. They just sent us another letter for year 2002.

We replied. Again, no response.

Now, we just received a letter asking for a sworn notarized statement of residency for the year 2001.

Will this never end??????

What can we do to stop the harrassment?

Thanks much for your help.

CJ

 

Dear CJ,

I can understand their confusion.

They get records of all tax returns filed using an ILL address.

And it seems the IL tax department is big on sending out lots and lots of letters...often contradictory.

Why don't you call them up and speak (very politely) to someone there. Explain the situation and ask that person specifically what they would accept - AND may you send it to that person's attention?

Otherwise, sure, get a notarized statement from your parents saying they live in Florida at XYZ address. To substantiate that, enclose a copy of a utility bill showing service at that address.

Keep these documents handy. When you finally get a letter from IL accepting your position, keep a copy of that in a permanent file and send that to them each year, if they persist in asking about that tax return.

Good luck!

Best wishes,
Eva Rosenberg, MBA, EA