I just have to share this. It's too funny not to.
Extreme Nutshell Background:
Abusive ex-wife took me for several dozen spins, resulting in, among other things, owing the IRS. Note: I'm a "nice guy" and do not want trouble. I hate "the system" but I don't want men with guns coming to my door, so I would not incur this kind of debt under my own steam.
So, today I got a letter from the IRS (Inconceivably Reticent Sentience). It's just some stupid thing because the law requires them to periodically let me know how much I owe them. I can ignore this if I'm already "working with them" (OXYMORON! OXYMORON! I'M THE OX AND THEY'RE THE MORONS!), which I am, since I've submitted a request that they waive what I owe because I am permanently disabled (deaf) and unemployed - far from a lack of trying. Employement prospects are dim, hence trying to work towards my own goals and using those to become self-sufficient (note: I just got my social security disability back, according to Rep. Van Hollen's office. Just waiting for it to start).
Anyway, this letter, in addition to "letting me know" how much I "owe", has a form asking for my phone numbers and best times to call. They really should know by now that I'm deaf. I absolutely could no longer resist filling in this form and sending it back.
See the attached image. I really am, or rather, probably have, sent this by the time you see it.
Amount I have: $0.
Amount enclosed: $0
Making fun of the Irredeemable Rectum Stupidity: priceless.
P.S. At this point, $17k of the $72 is penalties and interest. I have been telling this jerkwads for a while now that I'm deaf and unemployed, and that it ain't happening and it's not because I don't want it to.
I think I'm deaf, and they have a hearing problem.
LMAO I love it bureaucracy at its finast.............NOT
BTW GREAT Answers Moody_rants I love the "wake up and smell the poverty" line,
I just hope this latest battle of yours gets cleared up and $ funds come your way at last!
Amazing how reliant they are on phones, but if someone were to call with the intent of relaying for you, I fear what the hold time would be, if you ever got a live person.
Do you have access to a TDD or some such? I know the Deaf School in Columbus, OH, would let people use their machines.
When my old TTY broke down, I never replaced it, because by that time, I could get all my communication needs (other than letter-writing) accomplished over the net. So when I need to call them, I use an internet relay service.
What's really depressing is the fact that they refuse to use email to communicate with citizens. We have encryption technology up the wazoo available to the common man that would take the NSA at least several days to crack - and hundreds of years if you have 128-bit encryption and you're using brute-force attempts. When you understand how easy it is to tap phones and that therefore encrypted email is much more secure than a phone call, it's a real bummer - especially for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
People. Are. Stupid.
I have in fact called them through relay services and it IS. AGONIZINGLY. SLOW. So I just don't call them any more.
If they try to pull anything, I'm going immediately to either my Representative or Sentator (one of whom has already helped me with my SSDI, so I know SOME people in this fuck'd up government care) to ask them to tell the IRS to quit bullying the little deaf guy.
In the meantime, I'm going to have a little fun poking at them. :-P
GOOD FOR YOU Moody
I am glad you have some connections that understand your situation & that CARE about you.
ITA with what you said about internet saftey and tapping phone lines.
What I don't understand is that the IRS uses internet servces for "Tax refunds", yet they can't set up software for other services?
Tham makes no sense to me at all.
But ITMT, isn't it nice to lay the devil child, LOL
Enjoy your fun with them.
Moody, that's HYSTERICAL!! I love your replies. How in god's name is anyone supposed to come up with $72,000. Is that how much you owe in back taxes? Wow. What a bunch of mofos!!!!
Nice response. It's good that you can keep your sense of humor about the whole situation.
Well, I try to keep my sense of humour. I'm not always successful, as bittercat knows. But it's important to try.
Sometimes I wish I could sue my ex for damages or file for "innocent spouse" protection. If the IRS doesn't back off, I AM going to ask Senator Barbara Mikulski for help. I hear she's very into helping people and doing away with a lot of bullshit in gov't. I mean, if I had a lucrative job, I wouldn't have a choice but to pay, but as it is, I don't think it's unreasonable at all to ask to have it erased if you no longer even work due to no fault of your own. It's just barbaric, the way these people behave.
Guess what?
Related to all this, I pinged the nice lady from Rep. Van Hollen's office, who has been helping me with my social security case. The SSA has apparently told them that my disability has been reinstated, but according to my call to the SSA today, not only was it not, but it is not going to happen. Of course, I emailed Van Hollen's office immediately and told them that they may have been lied to and attached a transcript of my call to them (because I called them through a relay service for the hearing-impaired, I can save the text of my conversations).
Here is that conversation. The last couple of lines I left out in my email to Van Hollen's office, but will post here.
I am SO FUCKING MAD!!!! God damn America! Seriously. It does nothing but FUCK PEOPLE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Bless you" too, fuckwads.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Conversation with siprelay
(12:49:17 PM) Damien: 800-772-1213
(12:49:17 PM) SIPRelay: Welcome to Sorenson IP Relay. A Relay Operator will be with you shortly.
(12:49:17 PM) SIPRelay: This call is not encrypted.
(12:49:18 PM) SIPRelay: Sorenson IP Relay does not accept international calls.
(12:49:20 PM) SIPRelay: Call start time 10:50:52 AM Mountain Daylight Time calling: +1 (800) 772-1213 welcome to SIPRelay.
(12:49:20 PM) SIPRelay: I am CA1537(F). Please hold while I connect your call...
(12:49:23 PM) SIPRelay: [Dialing...]
(12:49:29 PM) SIPRelay: [Automated Menu]
(12:49:30 PM) SIPRelay: [Automated female voice]
(12:49:30 PM) SIPRelay: (Collecting information... please hold)
(12:49:33 PM) SIPRelay: Thank you for calling Social Security
(12:49:45 PM) SIPRelay: the following IRS Stimulus message does not apply to
(12:51:16 PM) SIPRelay: Puerto Rico or the US territories.
(12:51:28 PM) SIPRelay: The IRS will begin sending stimulus payments to more than 130 million taxpayers in May.
(12:51:42 PM) SIPRelay: If you have filed, or plan to file a 2007 tax return no other action is necessary.
(12:51:50 PM) SIPRelay: If you receive Social Security, and did not file a 2006 tax return
(12:51:57 PM) SIPRelay: The IRS will send you a package by the end of March.
(12:52:09 PM) SIPRelay: Which includes everything you need to file a 2007 return and receive a stimulus payment.
(12:52:17 PM) SIPRelay: You need to file a tax return by October 15.
(12:52:22 PM) SIPRelay: You do not need a replacement form 1099.
(12:52:28 PM) SIPRelay: You can estimate your total annual benefit on the tax return.
(12:52:42 PM) SIPRelay: More details are available on the IRS website at IRS. gov
(12:52:51 PM) SIPRelay: Or you can call the IRS at 1-866-234-2942
(12:52:58 PM) SIPRelay: To ensure that you receive accurate and courteous service,
(12:53:02 PM) SIPRelay: your call may be monitored or recorded.
(12:53:11 PM) SIPRelay: To continue in English, press 1 now,
(12:53:19 PM) SIPRelay: Or say English.
(12:53:32 PM) SIPRelay: (Spanish option...)
(12:53:33 PM) SIPRelay: [Which option would you like to select?]
(12:54:40 PM) SIPRelay: [Are you still there?]
(12:55:47 PM) SIPRelay: [Are you still there?]
(12:56:42 PM) Damien: 1
(12:56:54 PM) SIPRelay: (Pressing 1)
(12:57:03 PM) SIPRelay: [Automated female voice]
(12:57:04 PM) SIPRelay: (Collecting information... please hold)
(12:57:13 PM) SIPRelay: Many services are also available on our Internet site
(12:57:22 PM) SIPRelay: At www. Social Security . gov
(12:57:31 PM) SIPRelay: Please tell me briefly the reason for your call.
(12:57:39 PM) SIPRelay: For example, you could say I need a pamphlet..
(12:58:06 PM) Damien: I need to speak to an agent
(12:58:10 PM) SIPRelay: (Searching for a live representative...one moment please)
(12:58:12 PM) SIPRelay: [The call has been placed on hold.]
(1:00:17 PM) SIPRelay: (Call is still on hold...)
(1:01:53 PM) SIPRelay: (Call is still on hold...)
(1:02:03 PM) SIPRelay: (Music playing...)
(1:04:08 PM) SIPRelay: (Call is still on hold...)
(1:08:36 PM) SIPRelay: (Call is still on hold...)
(1:09:25 PM) SIPRelay: [Are you still there?]
(1:09:30 PM) Damien: yes
(1:09:34 PM) SIPRelay: (Call is still on hold...)
(1:11:09 PM) SIPRelay: [Female voice]
(1:11:09 PM) SIPRelay: [Explaining Relay...]
(1:11:24 PM) SIPRelay: Good afternoon this is Jennifer with Social Security
(1:11:25 PM) SIPRelay: How may I help you ?
(1:11:29 PM) SIPRelay: (Sounds neutral.)
(1:11:56 PM) Damien: Hello
(1:12:04 PM) Damien: I need to find out what's going on with my claim please
(1:12:28 PM) SIPRelay: Alright let me have your Social Security number.
(1:12:35 PM) Damien: (number)
(1:12:57 PM) SIPRelay: and may I have your name?
(1:13:00 PM) Damien: (full name)
(1:13:42 PM) SIPRelay: May I have your date of birth?
(1:13:49 PM) Damien: (dob)
(1:14:05 PM) SIPRelay: And what city and state were you born in?
(1:14:18 PM) Damien: (city, state)
(1:14:29 PM) SIPRelay: May I have your mother's maiden name?
(1:14:49 PM) Damien: (dear old ma)
(1:15:27 PM) SIPRelay: And May I have your address?
(1:15:41 PM) Damien: (my flat)
(1:15:58 PM) SIPRelay: Okay.
(1:16:01 PM) SIPRelay: And let me check your record.
(1:16:05 PM) SIPRelay: Have you received any letters from Social Security?
(1:16:15 PM) Damien: No, and I'm concerned about the fact that I have not
(1:16:33 PM) SIPRelay: Okay.
(1:16:36 PM) SIPRelay: Let me look at your record.
(1:16:40 PM) SIPRelay: I need you to hold the line please.
(1:17:15 PM) SIPRelay: [The call has been placed on hold.]
(1:17:16 PM) SIPRelay: (Music playing...)
(1:18:30 PM) SIPRelay: (Call is still on hold...)
(1:19:58 PM) SIPRelay: (Call is still on hold...)
(1:20:37 PM) SIPRelay: (Call is still on hold...)
(1:22:17 PM) SIPRelay: (Call is still on hold...)
(1:22:38 PM) SIPRelay: Ok thanks for holding for me
(1:22:43 PM) SIPRelay: I was checking to see if there were letters sent
(1:22:47 PM) SIPRelay: The records show there were.
(1:22:54 PM) SIPRelay: You have been corresponding back with your office.
(1:22:57 PM) SIPRelay: You filed an appeal.
(1:23:05 PM) SIPRelay: The record show you filed for request for a waiver
(1:23:06 PM) SIPRelay: In April.
(1:23:22 PM) SIPRelay: And then you filed for personal conference in May.
(1:23:27 PM) SIPRelay: And a decision was made on the waiver
(1:23:34 PM) SIPRelay: And it was sent to your address.
(1:23:37 PM) SIPRelay: The address we have on your record.
(1:23:42 PM) SIPRelay: And it says
(1:23:46 PM) SIPRelay: The waiver request was denied.
(1:23:51 PM) Damien: I have Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland's office helping me. They informed me a couple of weeks ago my disability was reinstated. I have not heard from the SSA about that and I'd like to know what's happening with it
(1:23:59 PM) SIPRelay: The office also said scheduled an appointment
(1:24:03 PM) SIPRelay: For you to come in the office and talk with them
(1:24:05 PM) SIPRelay: On June 1
(1:24:09 PM) SIPRelay: xxx 4
(1:24:13 PM) SIPRelay: At two o'clock
(1:24:17 PM) SIPRelay: For a personal conference.
(1:24:22 PM) SIPRelay: And you did not show up.
(1:24:56 PM) SIPRelay: Okay I don't see anything on the records
(1:24:59 PM) SIPRelay: Showing that it has been reinstated.
(1:25:07 PM) SIPRelay: In the last letter that was sent out to you
(1:25:11 PM) SIPRelay: Was dated June 6.
(1:25:16 PM) SIPRelay: Did you receive that?
(1:25:22 PM) Damien: No
(1:25:48 PM) SIPRelay: Okay if you like I can send this letter to you.
(1:25:52 PM) SIPRelay: To the address you gave me.
(1:25:53 PM) Damien: Please do
(1:25:55 PM) SIPRelay: But the letter says you were notified
(1:25:58 PM) SIPRelay: That we had scheduled a personal conference
(1:26:02 PM) SIPRelay: For you on June 4 08
(1:26:08 PM) SIPRelay: To discuss the denial of your waiver requests
(1:26:14 PM) SIPRelay: And say that you did not come in for the personal conference.
(1:26:15 PM) Damien: Well, my concern is with my social security disability
(1:26:17 PM) SIPRelay: Or ask us to reschedule it.
(1:26:25 PM) SIPRelay: Therefore there is no basis for changing the decision to deny your waiver request.
(1:26:32 PM) SIPRelay: And it states we are returning your claim over to the processing center
(1:26:34 PM) Damien: Representative Van Hollen's office was told my disability was reinstated
(1:26:39 PM) SIPRelay: And advising the office of the need to recover your overpayment.
(1:26:44 PM) SIPRelay: And then it gives the amount of the overpayment
(1:26:49 PM) SIPRelay: I'm showing earlier a letter was sent
(1:26:56 PM) Damien: Do you people even know how rediculous it is to ask an unemployed deaf man for any money at all?!?
(1:27:27 PM) SIPRelay: 125074.70
(1:27:45 PM) SIPRelay: Well when there is an overpayment
(1:27:48 PM) SIPRelay: For anybody who receives an overpayment.
(1:27:51 PM) SIPRelay: We have to inform you.
(1:27:54 PM) SIPRelay: And that is correct.
(1:27:57 PM) SIPRelay: We have to try to get the money back.
(1:28:06 PM) SIPRelay: Again the purpose of the conference was to discuss the overpayment.
(1:28:10 PM) SIPRelay: Or the denial of the overpayment.
(1:28:12 PM) Damien: whatever
(1:28:12 PM) SIPRelay: But you didn't show up.
(1:28:25 PM) SIPRelay: Now you can always go into your office and speak to a representative mayor.
(1:28:27 PM) Damien: i'm here about the social security disability.
(1:28:28 PM) SIPRelay: xxx there
(1:28:32 PM) SIPRelay: At this point the benefits will not be reinstated.
(1:28:35 PM) SIPRelay: I'm not pulling up that information.
(1:28:40 PM) Damien: then fuck you
(1:28:41 PM) SIPRelay: But you have the right to speak to someone face-to-face at a local office.
(1:28:55 PM) SIPRelay: Bless you have a good day
So it took a little less of an hour of your time and your still no where fast with this? That make me so mad for you
moody
I HATE THE IRS! AND THE SSA
They both can rot in hell for what they put innocent people like you through.
Of course I know its always the one bad apple that spoils it for the rest of us.
But in this day and age of computers and software, you would think that by now both gvt. agencys could get off the stick and have something done to prevent these mistakes from happening
You all, I appreciate the support you're giving Moody_Rants. When we talk about this crap, I just can't wrap my head around what these people are doing. He has documented EVERYTHING. He has sent several involved parties a 5-page letter, carefully laying out what happened to get him into this mess--I agree he is not at fault, and that's NOT because I'm his girlfriend, but because I know what abused people go through and what it can do to your decision-making capacity--and it's like they are NOT FUCKING LISTENING. It's maddening.
I don't know where they expect an unemployed, deaf person to come up with that kind of money. I've encouraged him to try talking to a lawyer AGAIN if the congress folks' offices can't help.
We live on one income--mine--and it is not enough to sustain us. Sure, I can feed us, and I always pay the mortgage first, and the cats' care is a given, but there are times when utility bills don't get paid or get paid late. There are other times when meal-planning gets REAL creative.
These people are ridiculous.
Jen M.
to bittercat & Moody
I do so wish there was something I can do to help.
But I guess you guys have done everything possible, short of going there with a M-15 and blowing the place apart.
I would not advice such a thing
.. But boy the thought of it does feel good at times, lol
My best suggestion is just somehow have moody go to the IRS in person, with all his paperwork and let them SEE for themselves that he can't hear. That old adage "seeing is believing" may be the
ONLY thing that
IRS will accept.