32 THE QUEENS COURIER • MARCH 28, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
tax guide
What happens if you get a letter from state Tax Dept.
Th e New York State Department of
Taxation and Finance explained what taxpayers
should do if they receive a letter or
notice asking for more information about
claims made on their tax returns.
“First, if you receive a letter from us asking
for documentation to support what
you claimed on your return, don’t panic;
it doesn’t mean that you did anything
wrong,” said New York State Taxpayer
Rights Advocate Margaret Neri. “Th e Tax
Department simply needs to ensure that
refunds only go to those entitled to them
and that returns fi led are accurate. Th e goal
is to ensure compliance and stop questionable
refunds, not to delay refunds.”
Wages and withholding letters
One of the most common letters the
agency sends, for example, requests information
to verify the amount of taxes
withheld from wages. If you check the status
of your 2018 refund, which you can do
using their check your refund status tool,
you may have received a message indicating
that the department sent you this letter
or are sending it to you.
Similar letters request additional information
regarding your claims of itemized
deductions, child and dependent care
expenses, college tuition expenses, business
losses, and so on.
Read the letter you receive carefully
to review the diff erent ways you can
respond, but keep in mind that the state
Taxation Department can’t process your
return or any refund you’re claiming
until we receive and review the requested
information.
The best way to respond
Th e most eff ective way to respond to a
letter is using the department’s Respond to
Department Notice online service. If you
don’t have an Individual Online Services
account, you will need to create an account
to take advantage of this service.
Visit Respond to your letter for stepby
step guidance, as well as to view two
helpful demonstrations: Responding to
a Department Notice and Individual
Account Creation.
For more fi ling information, visit tax.
ny.gov.
From the NYS Department of
Taxation and Finance
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