PENINSULA: IRS error rattles Peninsula taxpayers

Like other Jefferson and Clallam county residents, George and Margaret Geasey accepted the Internal Revenue Service’s offer of a later tax-return deadline as a result of the Feb. 28 earthquake.

As the IRS instructed, they wrote “Washington State Earthquake” across the top of their income tax return in large, clear, red letters.

They returned the form with a check for the amount they owed, making sure it was postmarked by April 30 so they would get the two-week reprieve from the regular April 16 deadline.

But due to a foul-up the IRS can’t explain, its Ogden, Utah, processing office generated notices to the Geasey family of Port Angeles and about 200,000 residents on the North Olympic Peninsula and in 20 other Washington counties, demanding payment for interest and/or penalties for the “late” filings.

Not only did the agency mess up by sending out the “request for payment” notices, it compounded the error, according to IRS officials, by defending the notices when some taxpayers called to complain.

Said Shawn George, a spokeswoman in the IRS’s Seattle office:

“We can’t explain what happened. We’re trying to find out what went wrong,” she said. “We certainly apologize.”

If you’re a Jefferson or Clallam County taxpayer who mistakenly got a notice saying you owe late-payment interest and/or penalties, mail a copy of the notice to:

IRS Customer Service

915 Second Ave., Mail Stop W415S

Seattle WA 98174.

Or fax it to 206-220-5550.

Write “Washington State Earthquake” across the top and the words “abate interest” or “abate penalty.”

Should you write it in big, clear red letters?

It couldn’t hurt, Internal Revenue Service spokeswoman Shawn George said.

More details appear in the Friday/Saturday editions of the Peninsula Daily News, on sale throughout Clallam and Jefferson counties. Or click onto “Subscribe” to order your copy via U.S. mail.

More in News

Tim Morland, front, and Rich Lear of Tualatin, Ore.-based Field Turf USA add fill to the playing surface at the new Monroe Athletic Field on Tuesday at the site of the former Monroe School near Roosevelt Elementary School in Port Angeles. The synthetic turf field, which is expected to be completed by mid-autumn, is being developed by the Port Angeles School District and will be available for community athletic events. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Monroe field prep

Tim Morland, front, and Rich Lear of Tualatin, Ore.-based Field Turf USA… Continue reading

Petitions developed by local citizens seek to keep the “new” Towne Road unpaved and open to hikers and walkers. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Public comment sought about Sequim’s Towne Road future

Meeting for residents scheduled for Tuesday

Eran Kennedy.
Sound regional publisher stresses local connections

Partnerships offer lifeline despite struggling industry

A crew from Port Townsend Public Works watches as a backhoe removes water-logged timber from a sinkhole on Kearney Street outside the Food Co-op on Tuesday at the start of construction of a traffic circle at the intersection of state Highway 20/East Sims Way and Kearney Street in Port Townsend. Traffic heading eastbound toward Port Townsend will detour at Benedict Street and turn left on Washington Street to return to Highway 20/East Sims Way. Traffic going westbound away from Port Townsend will turn right at Kearney Street and left onto Jefferson Street to continue on Highway 20. The detour configuration will last about four weeks, according to the state Department of Transportation. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Roundabout construction

A crew from Port Townsend Public Works watches as a backhoe removes… Continue reading

Members of the Bagley family of Forsyth, Ill., from left, parents Jessica and Cameron Bagley, and children Cody, 10, Addie, 12, and C.J., 7, look at an information kiosk on the Olympic National Park wildfires on Tuesday in front of the park visitor center in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Blazes spread in center of Olympic National Park

Large helicopters requested to keep fires at bay

Wreck shuts down US 101 south of Brinnon for five hours

A semitrailer driver accused of falling asleep at the wheel… Continue reading

Peninsula College sophomores Ian Coughran, left, and Ciera Skelly were two of seven students participating in the inaugural Pathway Summer School at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory this summer that focused on education and career development in STEM fields. Both Coughran and Skelly plan to pursue degrees in environmental science. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Internship through college presents career pathways

Students part of inaugural class at Sequim laboratory

Bathrooms possible at Ridge in November

Utility project may allow winter access

Most Read