Taxing Situation- don't lose your documentation

[Farmerdoug]

We purchased an Escape 19 which was imported in February of 2018. This summer I received a disturbing letter mailed from the Michigan Tax department. I was informed I owed them $1800 for taxes with interest. I'm old but not that old, I was pretty sure I paid the taxes when I applied for a title and plate. I found my Escape folder with the documents showing payment of taxes.
I emailed the tax agent, who responded that I should be ok, and would be informed if more action was required. I then asked for an official letter stating my tax obligations have been met. To [NO surprise I did not hear back or receive the document I asked for.

Save your documents!

[cpaharley2008]

This had happened to me with every Escape I have owned, that means 4 times. It seems that the import papers take awhile to work their way through the system. Naturally I had already paid my sales tax in order to obtain a title and registration. Lo and behold I get a bill for 6% Excise tax, which is the same rate of sales taxes in my state. I contacted the Excise Tax department and inquired where they were located. In the capitol same place where DMV is, in fact in the same building, 2 floors down. I suggested that he get away from his desk and take the elevator down and verify my sales taxes were paid. If he wants excise taxes he needs to get it from them. He wanted me to send him proof, I said "Nope" I do not have a government xerox machine (boy was that missed when I retired) I got my tags that i all I need. Sure enough, 2 years later it happens again, this time I told them to notate my file. After the third time, 3 years later they said "oops sorry" when I called. Then they got smart, on the 4th time there was not phone number, no name, just a bill. I wrote a letter to my congressman that public state agencies should not be allowed to do business with the public without a proper phone number nor name of person to contact. One week later I received a phone call from the agency telling me they closed the case and gave me a name if it ever happens again.....we will see!

[Jake930]

Originally Posted by Farmerdoug

We purchased an Escape 19 which was imported in February of 2018. This summer I received a disturbing letter mailed from the Michigan Tax department. I was informed I owed them $1800 for taxes with interest. I'm old but not that old, I was pretty sure I paid the taxes when I applied for a title and plate. I found my Escape folder with the documents showing payment of taxes.
I emailed the tax agent, who responded that I should be ok, and would be informed if more action was required. I then asked for an official letter stating my tax obligations have been met. To [NO surprise I did not hear back or receive the document I asked for.

Save your documents!

. Same thing happened to me in New York State. It was 2 years later, I got a letter from the state taxation department stating I owed 2000 dollars for tax on the Escape plus almost 3000 in penalties. I called the Taxation department in Albany and provided them with the bill of sale and the tax recipient. When they received them they called me on the phone and said all was well. I asked for a letter stating that and received said letter 2 days later. Boy it really takes it out of you when you open such a letter.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

................. and gave me a name if it ever happens again.....we will see!

What do you mean, "if..".
Escape IV uses propane like your previous ones, doesn't it??

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

This had happened to me with every Escape I have owned, that means 4 times. It seems that the import papers take awhile to work their way through the system. Naturally I had already paid my sales tax in order to obtain a title and registration. Lo and behold I get a bill for 6% Excise tax, which is the same rate of sales taxes in my state. I contacted the Excise Tax department and inquired where they were located. In the capitol same place where DMV is, in fact in the same building, 2 floors down. I suggested that he get away from his desk and take the elevator down and verify my sales taxes were paid. If he wants excise taxes he needs to get it from them. He wanted me to send him proof, I said "Nope" I do not have a government xerox machine (boy was that missed when I retired) I got my tags that i all I need. Sure enough, 2 years later it happens again, this time I told them to notate my file. After the third time, 3 years later they said "oops sorry" when I called. Then they got smart, on the 4th time there was not phone number, no name, just a bill. I wrote a letter to my congressman that public state agencies should not be allowed to do business with the public without a proper phone number nor name of person to contact. One week later I received a phone call from the agency telling me they closed the case and gave me a name if it ever happens again.....we will see!

Our only extra problem after the licensing was they had 52 . Extra in funds on taxes and almost 3/4 year went by . I guess they thought it was a tip . Finally was solved and got our refund . Pat