Ask The Taxgirl: Why Didn’t You…?

Taxpayer asks:

I sent you a question (insert time frame here) ago about (insert topic here). Why haven’t you answered it yet?

Taxgirl says:

I have received a lot of these “follow up” type emails lately. I wanted to take a few moments to set some things straight:

My busy season (if you can nail it down) starts in November and builds through April. This means that I get lots of emails about this time. I read every single one. So, please don’t think I’m ignoring you.

1. I make the decision to post an “ask the taxgirl” question based on a bunch of things – there’s no “magic bullet” that will assure that your question gets answered first. For example, I consider the number of similarly-themed questions; if I notice a pattern, I’ll try and address that issue quickly. I think about the time of year: planning questions tend to be answered at the end of the year while prep questions may be answered closer to tax day. I also take in mind the nature of your question and whether it will benefit or interest lots of readers.
2. Your question may be too broad – or too specific. I have honestly received questions like “Should I file Married Filing Jointly Married Filing Separately?” without another word. In contrast, I’ve gotten questions that include absolutely every detail, down to a diary of phone calls to IRS. Fill me in on the details and state your question plainly without giving me too much information. I don’t need your shoe size or your mother’s maiden name. And hey, I’m a chatty girl. I *get* that you might fear that you’re leaving something out but don’t worry – if it’s just a little piece of info and I think I’ll need it, I’ll ask you.
3. I can’t contact the IRS for you. I’ve been asked to call the IRS and find out where rebate checks are, why refunds aren’t what they were promised, why a return wasn’t accepted as filed. Even if I wanted to, I can’t. The IRS won’t allow it unless I represent you (which I don’t unless you have a representation letter from me) and you sign a piece of paper authorizing the IRS to give me the information. So please don’t ask. And goodness knows, don’t send me your personal information, like your Social Security number out of the blue. Honestly, I’m a good person. But you shouldn’t take such risks. It’s scary.
4. I rarely answer specific state or local tax questions. I just can’t. As much as I’d love to help – and I would – I just don’t know the specific property tax laws in Petaluma or the sales tax rules in Peoria.
5. I have a spam filter. I have to. Mostly because of, well, you know, evil spammers. My spam filter will almost always dump your email into spam if your email doesn’t have a subject. Try including a word or two in the subject to tell me what your question is about, like “educational expenses” or “mortgage interest question” – it will help make sure that the emails end up where they need to be. 
6. If you’re actually sitting in an audit or jail, I can’t stress enough how much you need to find yourself a good tax professional right now. Run, do not walk, to the phones and call someone to help you.

Before you go: be sure to read my disclaimer. Remember, I’m a lawyer and we love disclaimers.
If you have a question, here’s how to Ask The Taxgirl.

Kelly Phillips Erb

Kelly Phillips Erb is a tax attorney, tax writer, and podcaster.

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