IRS envelopes

[Perplexed]

Many months ago I posted a question about the IRS thinking I
represented a taxpayer I do not know. [I am an ordinary
taxpayer, not in the tax consulting or advising business by
any stretch of the imagination.] They are addressed as
Taxpayer c/o Me.

The first time I opened the envelope without looking
closely, it had my name and address on it. When I realized
it did not concern me I called the IRS, another envelope
arrived so I wrote them. They sent a form where I was
required to state that I am no longer this person's
representative. I didn't fill it out because it was a
revocation of representation. I was never this person's
representative. The envelopes keep coming, I am writing
"Return to Sender, Taxpayer unknown by anyone at this
address" on the outside. Sometimes adding a statement to
the effect that there is no representation relationship and
please check your original records. Still the envelopes
keep coming.

Should I do anything else?

 

[parrisbraeside]

Many months ago I posted a question about the IRS thinking I
represented a taxpayer I do not know. [I am an ordinary
taxpayer, not in the tax consulting or advising business by
any stretch of the imagination.] They are addressed as
Taxpayer c/o Me.

The first time I opened the envelope without looking
closely, it had my name and address on it. When I realized
it did not concern me I called the IRS, another envelope
arrived so I wrote them. They sent a form where I was
required to state that I am no longer this person's
representative. I didn't fill it out because it was a
revocation of representation. I was never this person's
representative. The envelopes keep coming, I am writing
"Return to Sender, Taxpayer unknown by anyone at this
address" on the outside. Sometimes adding a statement to
the effect that there is no representation relationship and
please check your original records. Still the envelopes
keep coming.

Should I do anything else?

Who's your local paper's reporter? Better yet, national news?

 

[Taxmanhog]

Many months ago I posted a question about the IRS thinking I
represented a taxpayer I do not know. [I am an ordinary
taxpayer, not in the tax consulting or advising business by
any stretch of the imagination.] They are addressed as
Taxpayer c/o Me.

The first time I opened the envelope without looking
closely, it had my name and address on it. When I realized
it did not concern me I called the IRS, another envelope
arrived so I wrote them. They sent a form where I was
required to state that I am no longer this person's
representative. I didn't fill it out because it was a
revocation of representation. I was never this person's
representative. The envelopes keep coming, I am writing
"Return to Sender, Taxpayer unknown by anyone at this
address" on the outside. Sometimes adding a statement to
the effect that there is no representation relationship and
please check your original records. Still the envelopes
keep coming.

Should I do anything else?

Send a copy of your letter and these letters DIRECTLY to the
Commissioner.

Someone UP top needs to straighten out this stupidity!

 

[San Diego CPA]

Many months ago I posted a question about the IRS thinking I
represented a taxpayer I do not know. [I am an ordinary
taxpayer, not in the tax consulting or advising business by
any stretch of the imagination.] They are addressed as
Taxpayer c/o Me.

The first time I opened the envelope without looking
closely, it had my name and address on it. When I realized
it did not concern me I called the IRS, another envelope
arrived so I wrote them. They sent a form where I was
required to state that I am no longer this person's
representative. I didn't fill it out because it was a
revocation of representation. I was never this person's
representative. The envelopes keep coming, I am writing
"Return to Sender, Taxpayer unknown by anyone at this
address" on the outside. Sometimes adding a statement to
the effect that there is no representation relationship and
please check your original records. Still the envelopes
keep coming.

Should I do anything else?

Contact the Taxpayer Advocate in your area (see
http://www.irs.gov/advocate/content/0,,id=150972,00.html).
Send them a brief letter describing the circumstances and
your attempts to resolve the issue. They're very good at
handling a variety of matters that get caught up in the
bureaucracy.

 

[Perplexed]

Many months ago I posted a question about the IRS thinking I
represented a taxpayer I do not know. [I am an ordinary
taxpayer, not in the tax consulting or advising business by
any stretch of the imagination.] They are addressed as
Taxpayer c/o Me.

The first time I opened the envelope without looking
closely, it had my name and address on it. When I realized
it did not concern me I called the IRS, another envelope
arrived so I wrote them. They sent a form where I was
required to state that I am no longer this person's
representative. I didn't fill it out because it was a
revocation of representation. I was never this person's
representative. The envelopes keep coming, I am writing
"Return to Sender, Taxpayer unknown by anyone at this
address" on the outside. Sometimes adding a statement to
the effect that there is no representation relationship and
please check your original records. Still the envelopes
keep coming.

Should I do anything else?

Contact the Taxpayer Advocate in your area (see
http://www.irs.gov/advocate/content/0,,id=150972,00.html).
Send them a brief letter describing the circumstances and
your attempts to resolve the issue. They're very good at
handling a variety of matters that get caught up in the
bureaucracy.

Thanks San Diego, I contacted the Taxpayer Advocate. He
asked that I stop by the Taxpayer Assistance Center. They
were stunned, called the Representation Records Center
staffl. That gal told me she would pull the records. She
did and called me today. The problem is fixed!

 

[Jonathan Kamens]

The problem is fixed!

But what *was* it? What could possibly have caused those
letters to be sent to you? And why didn't they get the
point when you repeatedly told them that they were writing
to the wrong address? Did you get any answers to these
questions? Your public is dying to know!

 

[Taxmanhog]

But what *was* it? What could possibly have caused those
letters to be sent to you?

Fumble fingered key entry errors when the 2848 was
processed.

And why didn't they get the point when you repeatedly told
them that they were writing to the wrong address?

They could not disclose those details to a third party :-}
but I would guess the OP's reaction letter is sitting in a
pile of work to be screened at a Service Center or Area
office.

This situation is a reminder to all Tax rep's, when the
service is still contacting your client w/o sending you CC's
of the letters, something is wrong! Especially if more than
60 days have passed since you have submitted a correctly
prepared 2848.

I stress, make sure your CAF number is on the form if you
have been assigned one, that your address & phone numbers
are accurate, and that all content is legible, poor grade
prints/copies faxed in the Memphis or Ogden are hard to
process.

I have seen a case where the CAF number was one digit off
due to legibility issues, subsequent letters generated went
to an attorney who had no concern in the case. when it
should have been going to another.

 

[Harlan Lunsford]

Taxmanhog wrote:

(snipped...)

This situation is a reminder to all Tax rep's, when the
service is still contacting your client w/o sending you CC's
of the letters, something is wrong! Especially if more than
60 days have passed since you have submitted a correctly
prepared 2848.

I stress, make sure your CAF number is on the form if you
have been assigned one, that your address & phone numbers
are accurate, and that all content is legible, poor grade
prints/copies faxed in the Memphis or Ogden are hard to
process.

I have seen a case where the CAF number was one digit off
due to legibility issues, subsequent letters generated went
to an attorney who had no concern in the case. when it
should have been going to another.

What we've learned here in this thread is yet one more good
reason to sign up for and use eServices. I can sit down at
my computer and input a form 2848 in less than 7 minutes,
then wait maybe another 2 minutes for it to register with
CAF in Memphis. Best thing since canned dog food!

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

 

[Tom Russ]

I have seen a case where the CAF number was one digit off
due to legibility issues, subsequent letters generated went
to an attorney who had no concern in the case. when it
should have been going to another.

CAF numbers don't have check digits?
<Computer Scientist tears hair out >

There really is no excuse for not having a check digit to at
least detect single digit transcription errors in those
numbers.

 

[Perplexed]

You nailed it Taxmanhog. I learned that my CAS number was
one digit off of the Taxpayer's correct Representative's CAS
number - it was a keying error. Two Representative notices
were sent, one to me and one to the correct Rep.

I have no clue as to what a CAS number is, but I may have
received one when I file on behalf of my Mom who is in a
nursing home and not able to manage her financial affairs.

The IRS, and the Taxpayer, should count their blessings that
I am an honest person who understands that mistakes happen
[retired USDOL Compliance Officer]. Too bad that they
aren't staffed sufficiently to catch the error even when a
member of the public is trying to get their attention.

The "Other Issues" IRS person in the Seattle taxpayer
service center was excellent. 'Tho probably at the low end
of the professional totem pole he handled this problem with
wisdom and professionalism of a savvy attorney. Kudos to a
public servant in an agency that is not known for treating
either their staff or their 'customers' kindly.

 

[Harlan Lunsford]

I have seen a case where the CAF number was one digit off

CAF numbers don't have check digits?
<Computer Scientist tears hair out >

There really is no excuse for not having a check digit to at
least detect single digit transcription errors in those
numbers.

I remember when CAF numbers made their debut. Mine came
with numbers AND an "R" on the end of it. Maybe the R was
a check character. Probably not. But never could find out
what the R stood for. Probably "REAL nice fellow."
"R"edneck? Nahhh!

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

Moderator:
The Noo Yawk Times has a Q&A section. If you submit
the question to them, they will probably research it
for you. <rotflmao>

 

[Taxmanhog]

What we've learned here in this thread is yet one more good

reason to sign up for and use eServices. I can sit down at
my computer and input a form 2848 in less than 7 minutes,
then wait maybe another 2 minutes for it to register with
CAF in Memphis. Best thing since canned dog food!

I expected you to plug the program in this thread!
I agree, more of you folks need to sign up for it!!!!

 

[Taxmanhog]

I have seen a case where the CAF number was one digit off

CAF numbers don't have check digits?
<Computer Scientist tears hair out >

There really is no excuse for not having a check digit to at
least detect single digit transcription errors in those
numbers.

I'm not a 100% sure about the 2848, it seems feasible that
the SURNAME of the REP could be KEYED to his CAF number for
subsequent input validations.

The processing of the tax returns require one of the
following to validate the SSN:

A two letter check digit found on the pre-printer stick on
label that comes with the instruction/forms package.
or
A four letter "NAME CONTROL" which is composed of the first
four letters of the first taxpayer surname matched to the
first taxpayer SSN.

 

[Harlan Lunsford]

What we've learned here in this thread is yet one more good

I expected you to plug the program in this thread!
I agree, more of you folks need to sign up for it!!!!

And since I was one of about 15 or so people in on the
ground floor testing the system maybe 5 or 6 years ago, I do
qualify. Remember PMS?

No wait, it was PSMS I think.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

 

[Harlan Lunsford]

I have seen a case where the CAF number was one digit off

I remember when CAF numbers made their debut. Mine came
with numbers AND an "R" on the end of it. Maybe the R was
a check character. Probably not. But never could find out
what the R stood for. Probably "REAL nice fellow."
"R"edneck? Nahhh!

Moderator:
The Noo Yawk Times has a Q&A section. If you submit
the question to them, they will probably research it
for you. <rotflmao>

While I wasn't exactly rolling on the floor, my wife did
come in to see if I were okay. Thanks Dick, I needed that
after a rather long and "taxing" day.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

 

[Harlan Lunsford]

I'm not a 100% sure about the 2848, it seems feasible that
the SURNAME of the REP could be KEYED to his CAF number for
subsequent input validations.

The processing of the tax returns require one of the
following to validate the SSN:

A two letter check digit found on the pre-printer stick on
label that comes with the instruction/forms package.
or
A four letter "NAME CONTROL" which is composed of the first
four letters of the first taxpayer surname matched to the
first taxpayer SSN.

Now I dare you to tell me for sure what my "R" after the
numbers stand for.

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

 

[Taxmanhog]

The "Other Issues" IRS person in the Seattle taxpayer
service center was excellent. 'Tho probably at the low end
of the professional totem pole he handled this problem with
wisdom and professionalism of a savvy attorney. Kudos to a
public servant in an agency that is not known for treating
either their staff or their 'customers' kindly.

On behalf the Seattle TAC rep, myself and many other
dedicated employees,

THANK YOU, for understanding!

 

[Missy]

I have seen a case where the CAF number was one digit off

with numbers AND an "R" on the end of it. Maybe the R was
a check character. Probably not. But never could find out
what the R stood for. Probably "REAL nice fellow."
"R"edneck? Nahhh!

ChEAr$,
Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

Moderator:
The Noo Yawk Times has a Q&A section. If you submit
the question to them, they will probably research it
for you. <rotflmao>

Ah! Come on, Harlan, It stands for "R"oyal southern
Gentleman or Lady. Mine has an R on the end, as well. And
I consider me a Royal Southern Lady.

Missy Doyle

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

I have seen a case where the CAF number was one digit off

Ah! Come on, Harlan, It stands for "R"oyal southern
Gentleman or Lady. Mine has an R on the end, as well.
And I consider me a Royal Southern Lady.

Hey, my CAF number also ends in an R.

And here I thought it had something to do with either my
first or last name. I never thought it was because I was
born and spent my first three years south of the Mason-Dixon
line (Virginia)!

Ron Rosenfeld
--ron

 

[Don Priebe]

Ah! Come on, Harlan, It stands for "R"oyal southern

Gentleman or Lady. Mine has an R on the end, as well. And
I consider me a Royal Southern Lady.

But I live in New York and have an R on the end of mine.
But it's upstate NY, where we do have cows and ducks and
stuff like that, so maybe I'm an honorary southerner.