Dear PoPville – DC Individual Tax Refund problems

Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

“Dear PoPville,

Thought I would pass along an issue I had with my DC tax refund. I have lived in DC over 13 years, e-filed as long as that option was available and never had a problem… until this year. I had almost forgotten about it, but when I rembered recently I checked the DC Taxpayer Refund status webpage.

It accurately told me when my efile return was received and said my refund was being processed, check back in a few days. After falling for that line for many, many days I called the tax office. Despite being warned by the recording of extensive waits and after trying to call in several different days of the week, I eventually made it through (expect an hour or more on hold.) I was informed that my return could not be processed until I faxed them copies of my W-2. So, my return was not being processed anymore (as the website noted) it was just sitting. I used to be a tax accountant and I can tell you that anytime there is a deficiency in your return or missing information the relevant taxing authority should contact you in writing. I requested a written notice and they refused (another tax faux pas.) It is apparently their policy NOT to send out notices for missing W2’s and only provide that information if you call and ask for it. After much haranguing I eventually got the name of the person responsible for this process… Joseph Parran is the Director of Return Processing Administration with the Office of Tax Revenue.

Moral of the story… if you haven’t received your tax refund DON’T believe the Taxpayer Refund status website. CALL the District Office of Tax and Revenue and don’t give up and until you speak with someone. There’s no telling how many 1000’s of dollars of refund money the District is just sitting on until you ask for it. If anyone else has a tax refund problem I suggest contacting Joseph and request an improvement to their ‘policy’.”