My previous employer claims I made way more $ than I honestly did?

Question

I worked for a RE office, that is now non existent, not a surprise.

I made about 6K in 2006, I just recvd a letter from the IRS, the employer claims I made 22K! This is a real estate company of course that went bad due to their crooked transactions....what to do? I would never ever mess with the I.R.S...

Answer 1

First call IRS using the number on your letter and they should tell you what you would need to prove the amount....bank statements, payroll check stubs, notarized letter from the payroll clerk, etc.......good luck!!!

Answer 2

Show the IRS your records.  The burden will be on the RE office people to show that their amount, not yours, is correct.  The IRS will be after the owners even though the company has closed.

Answer 3

Gather as much paperwork as you possibly can.  What would be best is if you could find

        ---A copy of your hiring/offer letter or something similar that indicates when you started working.

        ---ALL of your paystubs.

        ---A copy of your quitting/termination that indicates when you ended work.

        ---Backed bank statements, ESPECIALLY if you had your paychecks direct-deposited.  Could also be helpful if you ALWAYS made a full, no-cash-back deposit of a paper paycheck.  Depending on their operating systems, your bank may even be able to bring up and print copies of your deposits.  (Do note that if you did not have direct deposit or if you did not consistently deposit your ENTIRE paycheck, it will be harder to try using your bank account to prove anything.)

Anything else that you can find that can establish your income, pay, pay scale, hours worked, length of time (months) worked, etc. can only be helpful.

Also, if you have any tangible piece of evidence other than events you witnessed which can prove the company's crooked business dealings, it can help to cast doubt on their veracity in reporting your income.

Once you have as much evidence assembled as possible, consider finding a lawyer who specializes in taxes or business fraud.  If possible, make arrangements with a lawyer who will accept all or the majority if his/her payment only after successfully helping you out of your situation.  If you are hesitant about getting a lawyer now, consider AT LEAST having a consultation with one.  It will cost less than hiring him to fight for you, and may even be free.  He could give you helpful tips for going it alone.  Do realize, however, that a lawyer would be a much stronger ally if he had more invested in the outcome.

What may turn out to be your hardest step of all is contacting the IRS, even with a lawyer on your side as well.  Find a real live agent.  If you can meet in person, excellent!  If not, make sure you can at least call.  Send in COPIES of all the paperwork you assembled.  Do not expect this to resolve easily through mail correspondence only.

Call regularly and persistently.  Call every day or even multiple times a day if necessary.  Work with the same agent unless he/she transfers your case to a superior.  If possible, find out the full name of everyone you talk to.  Also regularly ask for the name and contact information of their superior, regardless of how nice or helpful they are.  These methods sometimes intimidate inexperienced or rude personnel to treat your case more seriously.  Even if you find yourself working with friendly people, be persistent and pushy.  Make sure they understand you will not stop the incessant calling and badgering until your problem is solved.

Finally, good luck.

Answer 4

Get yourself a Tax Lawyer and all your pay stubs.

Answer 5

where are your pay stubs?  You need to keep them for at least five years?  That should be your proof.