spoiltgrl Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Ok, I have searched the internet several times and cannot find an answer to my question, this is the only forum I've come across that seems to have the type of responses that I think are knowledgeable and of substance. So, if this is in the wrong spot I apologize or if anyone can direct me to a place to find my answers that would be great. The issue that I am am having with my local taxes in Newark, OH is that I filed my taxes using box 5 this year rather than box 18. My husband has always just taken it to the city office where they would just do it for us. This year I didn't feel like making an appointment and filed myself. The reason why I used box 5 was because that is the amount that falls under qualifying wages, which for us was his wages minus the health insurance premium that is withdrawn each pay. I got a bill from the tax department in May that I had used the wrong box and that we owed more money and that we needed to make quarterly payments. When I went to the tax office and pointed out the tax ordinance and the fact that premiums for cafeteria insurance wasn't supposed to be included as a qualifying wage the first thing she did was shrug her shoulders and say I don't know we just use box 18. Then she went to talk to someone and came back telling me that the city my husband works in also taxes the full amount, which I already knew, but I don't file there so I am not worried about them and what they do, although it credits me more and pays less to the city I reside in. She also told me that I should call and tell the employer that they need to put the amount withdrawn from his paycheck annually on future W2s and I just need to pay the amount due. This employer isn't going to change what they do because my city tax department is confused on how to handle the problem. I received another notice today that I have until July 29th to pay the balance due. Now the amount due is only $64, but the fact remains that I have been paying more than what was actually due for a while to begin with and will have to continue to do so as long as the city says box 18 and we don't allow any deductions. Not to mention the fact that this is simply the tax ordinance. I am not trying to stir the pot but stand on principal. So, if anyone can tell me where I should go from here, I would really appreciate it. I just can't seem to find anything to tell them, aside from taking the ordinance page and the IRS code referred to in the ordinance into the office with me. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 You need to seek out the help of a qualified tax professional in your city. This discussion board is for tax professionals to share information and help each other with problems. You are definitely over your head on this one. This is free - - 1. Find the City of Newark tax regulations. The regulations are the law for your city. 2. There is usually no difference between Box 5 & box 18. I suspect a possible error by your employer? You have not provided us nearly enough information to assist you. Seek out the help of a qualified tax professional in your city. Seek out the help of a qualified tax professional in your city. Seek out the help of a qualified tax professional in your city. Seek out the help of a qualified tax professional in your city. Seek out the help of a qualified tax professional in your city. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILLMAS Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Jack, I think she should seek help from a qualified tax professional in her area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Jack, I think she should seek help from a qualified tax professional in her area. If she is filing City of Newark return, she lives in the City of Newark. Her city would be her area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILLMAS Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 I meant to repeat your suggestion but put in area instead of city. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainen Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 >>tell me where I should go from here<< Go back to that same office. You don't need professional help. Newark posts the actual ordinance, and even the instructions for 2012LF say to use Box 5, so be polite but unyielding. Ask politely to speak directly to the clerk's supervisor. Ask politely to speak directly to the department head. If none of that works, stop being polite. Ask about your appeal rights, but point out how utterly stupid they are being. Conspicuously write down names and quotes from the start. Apparently this is a deliberate, system-wide fraud, so the consumer affairs reporter for your local paper will be interested in your notes. Be a good citizen and give them to the reporter, even if you win. "I don't know, we just use Box 18" is the same as "We don't care what the law says." 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted July 19, 2013 Report Share Posted July 19, 2013 Excellent advice, jainen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 "only $64 due"...good one, LOL!yes, I am a long way from ohio and ignorant about your local tax story/requirement.I guess I have doubt about the validity of your story...is it correct?you could wait for janitor bob to respond...I believe he is an ohio state/local tax expert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 >>tell me where I should go from here<< Go back to that same office. You don't need professional help. Newark posts the actual ordinance, and even the instructions for 2012LF say to use Box 5, so be polite but unyielding. Ask politely to speak directly to the clerk's supervisor. Ask politely to speak directly to the department head. If none of that works, stop being polite. Ask about your appeal rights, but point out how utterly stupid they are being. Conspicuously write down names and quotes from the start. Apparently this is a deliberate, system-wide fraud, so the consumer affairs reporter for your local paper will be interested in your notes. Be a good citizen and give them to the reporter, even if you win. "I don't know, we just use Box 18" is the same as "We don't care what the law says." My advice still stands. We spend more time dealing with city taxes than we do dealing with IRS issues. If she goes back to the city, she will get double talked, and ignored. With an experienced tax preparer from her city, they will know how to say the right things, write the correct correspondence and get the situation handled. I doubt she is the first to experience what her story says. DIY, you are at the mercy of the city tax agencies with their improperly and incomplete training of workers and totally arrogant attitude about the taxpayers. Example: A neighboring city to us (I am sure 60,000+ population) openly states that they do not have a fax machine. That says it all!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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