Is there a Statute of Limitations for Connection for Personal Property Back Taxes Due

[cateysblue]

I was just contacted by a collection agency regarding overdue State CT. Property Taxes from 1994 for my automobile. I moved out of that state almost 10 years ago and sent my CT plates back to the State. This collection agency says that the State was unable to locate me. That's nonsense! I filed a State tax return for that year and my new address was on that form. I'm also listed in the telephone book. This collection agency says this was turned over to them 2 years ago. I asked them what took them so long to locate me and they didn't have any real answer. My question is, obviously, do I still owe CT these back taxes for my car or not? If so, how can I dispute this as this claim is so old and there was no obvious effort made on the part of the DMV in CT to locate me? Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

[thelawprofessor]

My understanding is that there is a 10 year statute of limitations unless the IRS obtains a renewal on their lien or judgment. That would be from the lien date, from my understanding, not the year of taxes. So if the taxes were due on 3/1/95 and they obtained a judgment on 4/1/96, a 10 year clock starts running on the later date. You need to find the date of the lien and see whether a decade has passed. If it has then you'll need to send a letter (or through your attorney) to have the lien removed.

I was just contacted by a collection agency regarding overdue State CT. Property Taxes from 1994 for my automobile. I moved out of that state almost 10 years ago and sent my CT plates back to the State. This collection agency says that the State was unable to locate me. That's nonsense! I filed a State tax return for that year and my new address was on that form. I'm also listed in the telephone book. This collection agency says this was turned over to them 2 years ago. I asked them what took them so long to locate me and they didn't have any real answer. My question is, obviously, do I still owe CT these back taxes for my car or not? If so, how can I dispute this as this claim is so old and there was no obvious effort made on the part of the DMV in CT to locate me? Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

[yanno35]

A collection agency sent me a letter claiming that i have unpaid motor vehicle taxes thru 1991 till 1995.. i left the state in 95 and moved to nj. F

[yanno35]

I Am Having The Same Problem...is There A Statute Of Limitations On Conn Motor Vehicle Taxes Which Was Not Paid From 91-95..now 10 Years Later, (dec 2004) Residing In A Different State, A Collection Agency Sends My Mom A Letter Of Unpaid Taxes. For Some Unkown Reason, She Never Knew About Theses Taxes And Worst Of All, She Never Was Contacted About Delinquent Automobile Taxes..what Do You Think I Should Do And If So, Is She Obligated To Pay These Taxes?

[rbgross]

I just received a call from my Mother in Upstate New York saying that a CT based collection agency is after $1000 for the same type of problem. My family and I moved from Watertown, CT eight years ago to Manila, Philippines as part of a job relocation. We owned no property in CT, and the automobile under question was sold and re-registered in the State of New York just after we left the United States in late March 1997. The automobile and my family never saw CT again since our departure. We have ample proof showing our move, and our change of residency to Manila. Moreover, we have the car's 1997 CT to NY transfer registration (my brother in law bought the car and has the records).

The Watertown CT tax agency is saying to us that 1) it doesn't matter if we did not receive notice of the problem (despite us filing US Federal taxes from our Manila address since 1997) 2) that the fact that the car was bought, re-registered and used in Rochester NY and not grounded in CT is not relevant. 3)that despite us having proof that we were not residents of CT from 1997 to date does not matter as well

They also have told us that it’s the old CT license plate from the car that dictates whether we owe the money to the township. I have no idea whether the old CT plates were returned to CT DMV.

My understanding of the CT tax law is that in order to be liable for any tax in the State of CT you must reside or make your residence in CT order for the state of CT to have tax jurisdiction. Furthermore, as I understand the CT property tax law (summary at this web site: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2004/ba/2004HB-05475-R000560-BA.htm)
the car under question must be based or grounded in CT for it to be considered taxable property. After our move in 1997 neither criteria is met. The car never saw CT again and we stilll live in Manila!

Does anyone in this thread or on this forum have any updates on their experiences? Or has anyone talked to a knowledgeable tax attorney on this matter. It sounds to me to be a complete scam by the local townships.

Richard Gross

[EPS]

<http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/pub/Chap204.htm>

Sec. 12-164. Tax uncollectible after fifteen years. Interest on improvement liens. (a) No payment of taxes shall be enforced by any collector or other proper officer against any person, persons or corporation against which they are respectively levied except within fifteen years after the due date of the tax. The provisions of this section shall be retroactive. The fifteen-year limitation shall not apply to improvement liens except those which have been released of record prior to July 18, 1945. Collectors shall compute interest on improvement liens for a period of not more than fifteen years, and at a rate, after July 18, 1945, and retroactively, not exceeding twelve per cent per annum, any provision of any special act to the contrary notwithstanding. The term "improvement lien" as used herein includes municipal liens for repairs and services.

[rforbes217]

My problem is pretty much the same, but I'm still living in CT. Been registering cars for years, of course. Sent in money for my truck reg, MVD cashed my check, no tax problem. Realized problem with truck wasn't worth fixing, but it still had to go through emissions for reg to be complete. Got another car. Wanted to transfer plates. Got to MVD, they inform me I owe taxes in a town I hadn't lived in for 15 years. This town had just posted these taxes on Sept 9, 2005 from 1991. Spoke with the town, they wouldn't budge, they are NOT my taxes! Said they have been posting to MVD over the years. I inform them otherwise. If they had, I would have found out about it alot sooner than this! MVD wouldn't give me temp plates because of these "new taxes", but said they could not legally withhold the transfer of plates if I got the new car through emissions. So I had to have it TOWED to emissions, go back to MVD, where they finally gave me my registration. But I have to fix this 15 year tax problem before April when the registration is up or I won't be able to renew registration. Seems as though someone in that town "messed" up royally, and now wants me to pay these supposed taxes plus interest to the tune of almost $1,000. I will be writing the MVD Commissioner, Governor and my Representative for starters. I'm on SSDI, and don't have 1,000 even if I thought I owed it. So either the town screwed up or MVD.

[conn]

Hi,
My name is Avi Salzman and I'm a contract writer for the New York Times. It turns out that I'm writing about the issue of old car taxes in Connecticut this week (1/10/06) and would like to talk to any of the above posters who have had issues with back taxes on their automobiles.
Please e-mail me at avisalzman@hotmail.com.
Thanks,
Avi Salzman

[fitzie2]

I got an automated call from a Collection Agency (CCA) on Good Friday. The call said to call and refer to a number re: a personal issue. In 1997 We sold our home and moved to an apartment in Ohio from Stamford, CT. My husband, who had everything in my name, took care of the sale and - I was told - payment of all taxes and liens due. There was very little left over. Now they are claiming I owe taxes on a 1982 Mercedes diesel from 1994, 95, 96 and 97. The amount due is over $1,600, mostly interest and "charges". The actual tax is a bit over $500. I left a forwarding address and am listed in the telephone book so why have they not tried to contact me before? My husband died in '99 so I can't ask him about this and I do not have checks that old! I cannot prove that these taxes were paid but the City certainly did not show any diligence in persuing this case. What can I do? I have tried to call the City but when I navigate their "menu" to the proper person I am told to leave message at the tone...then I am told there is no more space and I cannot leave a message, after which they hang up. Six long distance calls so far. I guess this is how they take care of business.

[neen]

I received a notice a few weeks ago for taxes due on an old honda accord I've long since sold. I move to NY in early '97, and they are asking for taxes for this auto from 10/96 through 8/97. I think I returned my plates, but I'm not sure, and since it's ten years later, I don't know that I can find out now. I have not received one notice from CT on this until just now, though. We moved to New Rochelle, NY, just outside of CT. We've been in NY since, we've always forwarded our mail, always been listed in the phone book...as far as I'm concerned CT made no effort whatsoever to collect on this until just now, ten years later, just prior to the statute of limitations kicking into effect, and at a time when it's at the maximum cost to me. The principal tax due it $283 and they want $838 for interest and charges. I'd even pay the principal right now, but it seems I should not have to pay the interest and charges. Had I known of these charges I would have paid up. I have excellent credit and pay my bills.

I talked to someone at CT DMC (they answer now, the first week I also received no answer and then the voicemail box full message). They claim they don't ever have to tell us we owe. Why they are doing this now vs. years earlier I assume is to maximize the charges and interest. They won't take anything less than the full amount--will not settle at all.

Has anyone had any success fighting this? I see others on this board with the same issue, but no one with a resolution.

[skrausse]

I have also recieved letters from "National Recovery Group" claiming I owe the state of CT money (from 1993). I have responded as nicely as I can muster but 13 years? What's even better is that I have a copy of an affidavit that my wife at the time and I had to fill out to protest owing 1992 taxes for the same car that was registered in WA state! My guess is that the state of CT needs money (and what state doesn't?), is poor at recordkeeping and farms this out to a third party who gets a % of everything they coerce people into paying. I don't owe this money and I think it is abhorrent that any governmental agency would stoop to this kind of behavior. I may never be able to go to connecticut again but I won't pay money I don't owe. I hope everyone with this problem gets it resolved in their favor! I'll post again if I learn anything. Good Luck!

[mysharona1947]

i am being told by the city of meriden that i owe back taxes for 1991, 1992, and 1993 on two cars. but here's the clincher, i never owned either of these cars.

i called the mvd yesterday and spoke to a man named steve, he checked the license plate numbers and the vin numbers on both cars that the city sent me. nothing. the records do show cars that i actually did have registered to me, but nothing on the two cars in question.

steve at mvd told me to call the city and ask them what the date of birth was on these two cars. well, it was not my date of birth, and i told the lady this. she said it didn't matter.

what's up with the state of connecticut and the towns that is doing this to people? do the cities need money that bad!!

i really don't know what to do, i need my car registered.

[mysharona1947]

is the statute of limitations for connecticut car taxes 10, 12, or 15 years??

[thelawusername]

I'm having the same problem with Stamford CT. They are trying to collect 1993 taxes. Were you able to resolve this issue?

[Tunneller]

Hi, I've started receiving aggressive letters from National Recovery Group (George Dodd) about back taxes 1994-1997 for a Saab. I haven't lived in Connecticut since June 1993 so I'm pretty sure I don't owe any taxes for subsequent years.

Has anyone had any success in getting these people to go away? Also, the letters are full of fire and brimstone but couched with "may" persue and "might" take legal action, etc, which makes me think they are bluffing. For those of you who've ignored the letters, was there any subsequent action from CT state itself?

My understanding (http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?A=1770&Q=281342) is that the collection agencies do the job of sending emails, but do not have authority to take legal action - that goes back to CT. Surely that itself should cut down on some of the more egregious cases?

Thanks for any feedback, John

[dlund]

Hi

I've also been receiving letters from American National Recovery Group for about 6 - 8 months now. They want taxes that they claim I owe on two vehicles from 7/01/99 through 7/01/01.

I haven't lived in CT since March of 1999, and I sent them proof of that, but they want more proof. Unfortunately I haven't had the documentation they want (registration of the vehicles) for about 6 years now.

The client of American National Recovery Group is listed as "Town of Westport". I was out of Westport for a year before I left for Florida. Does Westport collect taxes for CT in general, or are they assuming that I was a Westport resident during that time?

Thanks.

dlund

[hjk823]

I also received letters from National Recovery Group (Geroge Dodd) about back taxes from town of Willington, CT for period 1999-2000. I moved out of CT in may of 1998 and moved to NJ. The funny part is that the car in question (97 Kia) was totalled in 1999 in NJ. I even had the adjustor from the insurance company call and fax directly to the collection agency to prove that there was no way anyone would register a totalled car. If the car was gone in 1999, why would anyone register the car? It just does not make sense and as many prior posts have said, I have always forwarded my addresses whenever I moved. As someone else had mentioned previosly, the CT township did NOT make any effort to collect this.

My "Amount Due" for 1 year worth of back taxes are $535.84 (mostly fees & heavy interest). Even after they received the official fax from the insurance showing that my 97 Kia was totalled in Oct. 99, they said it was not good enough. Now, they have sent me another letter saying that I have to show them proof of residency through motor vehicle registrations which I do not have. It has been 8-9 years and who would still have such documents.

My next move was going to be faxing them copies of my income tax returns for 1998, 1999, 2000, which all have addresses of NJ and NOT CT. However, from reading some of the posts here, it will never end. They will keep denying my proof saying that it is not good enough.

I would greatly appreciate any sort of feedback.

Steve.

[lpva]

I also have been contacted by American National Recovery Group (ANRG) for back taxes owed to the town of Groton. I am active duty military with my official state of residency as Florida and have not lived in CT since Nov 2001. I responded to ANRG over a year ago. Has anyone here had any success with dealing with these people.

[ihatect]

I am having the same problem with George on taxes 10+ years old. Please let me know how you made out. George is attempting to collect invalid debt in addition to some debt which may actually be valid.

However, requesting payment for inaccurate debt is illegal. If anyone is willing to join in on a class action suit, please let me know. My situation is specific to New Milford, CT. Believe it or not, the town is more in fault than the collection agency in this case.

I am so glad I moved out of this state. They never contact you to pay the bill and then they send a collection agency after you once the interest and "fees" pile up. Let's join forces to take them down. All it takes is a little money and a lot of time. I've got both, so contact me if you are interested.

[ihatect]

I am in the same situation. The RMV of the state that I moved to was able to provide me with proof that I registered the car in their state several years ago. I haven't heard back from George Dodd yet. I'll let you know how I make out.

[ihatect]

Have you heard back from them during the past year? If you responded a year ago and they have not contacted you, it seems like you would be all set.

[manilarob]

Got a nastygram from United Adjustment Corp. Anyone heard of them.
Danbury CT. is after me for tax on 2 cars I owned when I lived there back in 93. Moved out in 94. They say I owe for 3 years 93-95 and interest and penalties until now 2007.

I am reluctant to send them any acknowledgment of actually not paying for the following reasons:
1. An admission means the lien is valid now.
2. No one has sent a registered letter to me.
3. This is over 15 years ago.
4. The City of Danbury said they could not locate me. Funny everyone else had no problem.
5. The tax bill arrives a year after you register the car at the DMV. Pretty dumb on their part.
6. I left the State in Early 94 and sent their state a tax form for income tax showing partial residence.
7. The City of Danbury has never sent me a bill.

While the ethical, and nice guy part of me says, ok hey I will pay what I owed in 93. Their is a part of me now that is really pissed at the nastygram and the bullying way they are handling this. I live in Manila now and why after a decade and a half are they such SH TS! about a mutual mistake.
It would be one thing if the City had said to me- Hey we screwed up, Please pay us for the time you were here, but this is just BS.

Please let me know if you think I am doing the right thing by ignoring this collector.

[Micd]

I am having the same problem with George on taxes 10+ years old. Please let me know how you made out. George is attempting to collect invalid debt in addition to some debt which may actually be valid.

However, requesting payment for inaccurate debt is illegal. If anyone is willing to join in on a class action suit, please let me know. My situation is specific to New Milford, CT. Believe it or not, the town is more in fault than the collection agency in this case.

I am so glad I moved out of this state. They never contact you to pay the bill and then they send a collection agency after you once the interest and "fees" pile up. Let's join forces to take them down. All it takes is a little money and a lot of time. I've got both, so contact me if you are interested.

I also just received a letter looking for back auto taxes from the town of New Milford. These are for a period over 10 years ago , and it's been over 10 years since filing personal and business bankruptcy. I really don't think this money is owed. I've never been notified from the town, and never had any problems at the MVD. Anyone have any thoughts on this ?

Actually the letter I received was from George Dodd.

[weare138]

me too. George at National American Recovery Group regarding Town of New Milford deliquent car tax (12 years old). Anyway, as far as I can tell there is no way to get the collection agency to listen to reason, so I am seeking legal representation. If I give in and pay, what is to keep them from coming back next year for more. My advice... lawyer up.

[Micd]

Great ! :mad:

[turkscaico]

I just received 2 letters from this company today also representing New Milford, CT. They claim I owe taxes from 13 years ago on vehicles. I called National Recovery and they are stating this is all legal...they can not only state I owe these taxes but also add fees and interest. I have lived 30 miles outside of New Milford for 13 years. National Recovery states they couldn't find me (for 13 years???). I asked them what I could do to resolve this and they said if I have no proof, I will need a lawyer. Any ideas...I contacted the bank for checks and nothing. Contacted my tax person and they don't keep returns for 13 years (thought it would show I paid the tax). This is making me sick as I have great credit and have never been contacted by a collection agency. How can New Milford, CT do this and get away with it??? Does anyone have any ideas what can be done to resolve this?

[hjk823]

I have talked to the collection agency people (national recovery) twice and the two people have told me two different things. First one said that if I have my insurance company call them w/ proof that my car was totalled during the period in question, that it would be resolved. I have spent two days on the phone w/ insurance company locating the "old" records and the adjustor was kind enough to personally call the collection agency. Few days later, I received a letter saying that the proof was not "sufficient."

The second person told me that I needed a "certified" registration record of the vehicle in question. Again, I spent about couple of more days w/ NJ DMV and requested a "certified-registration record" showing that my car was registered in NJ and not in CT.

I did not receive the documentation yet. However, from reading others' experiences on this thread, I have a strong feeling that they will shoot it down again.

If this document from NJ DMV does not solve the issue, I am not wasting any more of my time and money (cerfied documents from NJ DMV is $10 per page).

By the way, the town coming after me is Willington, CT. I personally think that this specific collection agency have special incentives or contracts with various townships in CT. As someone said before, I am glad I am out of CT. Property taxes on a totalled car? Their records are messed up too.

What I want to know is what other people think about the "Validity" of this. Has anyone been summoned by the court? From what I have read so far, the collection agency cannot sue you, only the original creditor can go after you if they choose to. When these CT townships "wrote-off" uncollectible debts and sold them to collection agency, doesn't that mean that the townships gave up on the debt/taxes?

[Carolmb35]

Hmmm....I'm having the same issue - just notifed about taxes that they say were due during a period after I'd already left CT and registered in another state.

Seems like this is a big problem, judging by all the posts here. Has anyone had any success in resolving this peacefully??

[Myster E]

Over a year ago I received a collection notice from our friends at American National Recovery Group. The "Client" was the Town of Westport. I paid it like they asked me to, and assumed that my debt to the Town of Westport (which was legitimate) had been paid in full.

Fast forward to about a month ago. I get another collection notice. My wife smells something fishy, so rather than deal with ANRG, I call the Tax Collector's office in Westport. The guy I talked to was rude, but he told me exactly what I owed, and for which years. (Turns out the previous collection notice I received--and paid--was only for ONE YEAR'S worth of taxes. Nowhere on the notice did it say that.) I had him fax me the bill, and I sent payment to Westport, asking them to a) fax me back something that says I now owe them NOTHING, and b) contact ANRG and tell them the same. I got the official bill that says "Balance Due Now: $0.00", and a written note saying they would let ANRG know that the debt was paid.

Then last week, another notice from ANRG. This time I can match the account number they provided with one of the fully-paid-off account numbers I got from Westport, so I know they're wrong. So either Westport didn't bother to relay the information, or they did, and ANRG decided to see if they could squeeze anything else out of me.

I called the number on the notice (anyone else try this?) and got a message: "We're sorry, but there is no room for you to leave a message. Please try again later. Goodbye."

Even if Westport is to blame, I still think the American National Recovery Group is capital-S Shady, and it's scary that they're allowed to wield power over people's credit. It makes me wonder if "144 Route 59" in Suffern, NY is really just a vacant lot.

[onthebeach]

However, requesting payment for inaccurate debt is illegal. If anyone is willing to join in on a class action suit, please let me know. My situation is specific to New Milford, CT. Believe it or not, the town is more in fault than the collection agency in this case.

. Let's join forces to take them down. All it takes is a little money and a lot of time. I've got both, so contact me if you are interested.

I just received a letter from George. I will join you!! Let me know the particulars.

Odd that I never received any notifications from the town of New Milford. Mine is from 1999-2000 for one vehicle. I need to dig through my records tonight to try to locate some form of registration in the state that I moved to. It all seems fishy to me!:yes:

[onemorganlover]

Yes! George Dodd sent me a letter, too! I left New Milford almost 15 years ago!

Please count me in on any class action. I just received a notice from the collection agency, and hadn't lived in Connecticut for 18 months prior to the due date listed on the notice. I'm worried, now, I won't be able to prove I registered the car In CA. I don't have it any more. This is ridiculous! They shouldn't be allowed to just say we owe and then we have to prove we don't after 14 years!

There are a lot of recent posts about this. What can we do?

[AnnoyedGuy]

This will be somewhat of a repeat of what others have already said, but I just got a letter from American National Recovery too. Again, New Milford, CT is the town, and again an automobile property tax bill. Apparently the debt is from a 1996 auto property tax bill for less than $200. Now, with penalties and interest it is almost $600. I have unblemished credit, and this really burns me. I'm not going to just shell out $600 when they never even made the effort to get a bill to me until over 12 years after I moved away! I know we had a forwarding order in place at that time and I never received any bill for this tax.

If not for the penalties and interest I might actually pay this today without putting up a fight, but it just seems unfair to spring this on people so far after the alleged debt was incurred that producing any records is very difficult. This appears to be legal, but also stupid. If they wanted to sick a collection agent on me they should have done it 12 years ago, not when the town is going down the tubes and just needs money.

This is interesting: http://www.thevirtualcall.com/Municipal_ARM_Executive_Brief.pdf
Here is a quote from page 11...
Overdue Taxes
Wilton and Redding, Connecticut, Take Kid Glove Approaches
With combined populations of fewer than 30,000 residents, both Wilton and Redding,
Connecticut, face financial burdens similar to larger cities in the U.S. And like many other
municipalities in the state, these two communities began outsourcing a share of their delinquent
debt to a private collection firm, American National Recovery Group (ANRG), in 2004. Since
ANRG began to service outstanding tax debt for the community of Wilton with a “light touch”
method, it has recovered approximately $100,000 in back taxes without causing any complaints
against the agency or the city.
Perhaps people need to complain!

It sure would be nice if some of the previos posters had followed up with results of what happened.

[hjk823]

Yeah, I had the honor of speaking to George Dodd himself. You can never get the same person when you call there. I called them 3 times and got 3 different people (G. Dodd, another man, a woman) even when I specifically asked for Dodd, they said he was out of the office.

Also, according to them, the statute of limitation for property taxes in CT is 14 years and I am not sure if they are right. The SOL for uncollectible accounts (i.e. credit cards) is 6 years in many states (including NY & CT), however I read somewhere that statute of limitation do not apply to taxes. So where did 14 year come from????

It looks like someone actually paid them off and they still want more?

b A s T < r D s !!

[mysharona1947]

i am having the same problem with my car taxes in meriden, ct. i never had a problem registering my car, until 2006. the city of meriden came up with taxes on 2 cars i never owned and even had the wrong date of birth for me.

they didn't want to hear it, even when i told them the dmv had no record of my ever owning the 2 cars meriden claimed i owed.

but, from what i was told by the city tax collector, the statute of limitations is 15 years, and i did have 2 years of money owed drop off when it reached the 15 year mark.

[holiday8]

I am having the same problem with George on taxes 10+ years old. Please let me know how you made out. George is attempting to collect invalid debt in addition to some debt which may actually be valid.

However, requesting payment for inaccurate debt is illegal. If anyone is willing to join in on a class action suit, please let me know. My situation is specific to New Milford, CT. Believe it or not, the town is more in fault than the collection agency in this case.

I am so glad I moved out of this state. They never contact you to pay the bill and then they send a collection agency after you once the interest and "fees" pile up. Let's join forces to take them down. All it takes is a little money and a lot of time. I've got both, so contact me if you are interested.

I am willing to join in a class action lawsuit. I strongly suspect that something illegal is going on here.

[DGR22]

Hi All,

Recently I started receiving notices from ANRG. They claim I owe $600 in taxes to Guilford for the tax year 1994. I lived in the town from 1987 to 1989 and then moved to Texas. I sold the car they claim I owe tax on in 1990 and it was subsequently stolen and totalled.

I really cannot prove today (in 2007) that I did not own this car in 1994. Apparently, no one can since it was apparently totalled after I sold it.

I spoke to my attorney and the one issue that was raised is whether this scam by ANRG might be targeting old cars which have been sold and subsequently junked. After all, ANRG cannot go after all old delinquent taxes. Perhaps they are culling out records which they know cannot readily be disproven.

Has anyone succeeded in making these people go away? If so, what did you do?

After reading this forum, I am completely outraged by this scam. I think this group should raise holy hell with newspapers, TV stations, the state attorney general, etc. The town governments in CT really cannot be allowed to get away with this!!

[Scooterdog]

I was just contacted by a collection agency regarding overdue State CT. Property Taxes from 1994 for my automobile. I moved out of that state almost 10 years ago and sent my CT plates back to the State. This collection agency says that the State was unable to locate me. That's nonsense! I filed a State tax return for that year and my new address was on that form. I'm also listed in the telephone book. This collection agency says this was turned over to them 2 years ago. I asked them what took them so long to locate me and they didn't have any real answer. My question is, obviously, do I still owe CT these back taxes for my car or not? If so, how can I dispute this as this claim is so old and there was no obvious effort made on the part of the DMV in CT to locate me? Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

If this were a home, you/depending on the state, you can file a homested decleration. In montana, you are giving a 250,000 leway on debt.
This probably won't work for a car, but check into it.

My state's constitution doesn't allow for jail time/debt/ or to kick you out of your house. Your state may have a similar provision, check it out.

[run262]

I recently have had the same problem with American national recovery group (George Dodd) trying to collect on a car tax from 1994. I left Conn in 1993 and didn't register in NJ until 1995. I didn't ever see a bill from the town of Guilford and I left forwarding addresses and even changed my Social Security disability check to my new address in NJ. Now after 13 years I have been getting very threatening letters from this collection agencyfor $600.00 and when I called the Town of Guilford they said the original bill was $164.00 (the rest is interest and penalties) but that I am liable for all of it. I got scared and set up a payment plan with the collection agency -they took a $200.00 check by phone. I just now found this web site and am afraid - have I been scammed? The town said it didn't matter that I lived in NJ, because the car had CT plates on it in 1994. When I registered in NJ the DMV here took the CT plates from me. I never heard a word for 13 years and now they were threatening my credit report and saying things like I could be charged with a felony for not turning my plates back in by certified mail and felony for not paying my tax bill(that I didn't know about) Was I wrong to give them a check for partial payment? Should I continue to pay them? If I just ignore the letters from here on out what will happen? HELP!

[weare138]

Looks like as unfair as we all might think this practice is, if you had a car registered in the state of CT for any part of the tax year they are claiming, you do indeed owe the money. The law is on their side (believe it or not). In fact the law clearly states that not receiving a bill does not excuse you from paying the tax and all accrued penalties and interests (i.e. innocence is no excuse). I sent them copies of my excise tax bills from the state of MA and they let me off for one of the years (96) but not the other (95) since I did indeed have a car registered in the state of CT for 3 months during that period. Anyway, they haven't hassled me since. Looks like unless you really weren't in CT at all during the time in question (towns and times vary) you don't have a leg to stand on.

[run262]

If you pay these people is it a scam or does the money really go back to the towns in ct. Should I stop payment on my check? Help!!!!

[weare138]

Since the checks are made out to the town itself, it would be very hard for the collection agency to steal this money. It is not a scam, please see my previous post.

[run262]

They told me when they take a check by phone it is made out to American National Recovery Center and they won't send a receipt. I would feel much better just paying they town itself. This whole thing just feels wrong.

I left CT in 1993 because I became totally disabled and went back to live with my family. I left a forwarding address. Apparently the post office only keeps your forwarding address in its system for 6 to 8 months, so when they sent the bill a year in a half later it wasn't in the system and CT didn't bother trying to find me until now 13 years later when the interest penalties are at the maximum. Social Security disablity had my new address and so did my tax return. When I registered my car in NJ I was not alerted that anything was owed on the car. I don't think the state acted reasonably to try to locate me. I bet they wouldn't be able to take these cases to court and win.
I haven't read one post anywhere on the web where they have taken legal action against anyone, and that seems strange. Something is very wrong here and I think I am a total sucker for paying this.

[weare138]

I think that what they are doing sucks and I am not happy about it at all. Having said that, as I said before, this is not a scam. This is the real deal. Please see the following:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/15/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/15cttax.html?_r=2&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fS%2f Salzman%2c%20Avi&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

I do not know if they will "come after you" if you don't pay, but one thing is for sure. What they are doing is well within the law of the state of Connecticut.

Sorry for the bad news.

[old CT resident]

Has anyone had any outcomes from the credit agencies attempting to collect old CT vehicle taxes, years later???????

Today, I received my FIRST notice of any taxes owed, via a letter from American National Recovery Group, Inc., (George Dodd), about vehicle taxes from 1992 and 1993. I lived in Greenwich, CT from 9/92 to 5/1/93, never got any bills, there, and never got any bills forwarded to me after moving, despite a proper forwarding address. It's 2008!! Can they collect this without timely billing? What is the statute of limitations? Can a collection agency report such an old bill to a credit reporting organization? Help!!!!!!!!

[run262]

Read the previous posts. They can TRY to collect the taxes, but the statute of limitations is 15 years( so if you can just ignore the letters until then you will probably be okay). I recently learned that they can't report debts older than 7 years to credit agencys. UNLESS you make a partial payment on it or something like that then the 7 years begins anew. So having made a partial payment on my 13 year old bill that I never knew about, I am now stuck having to pay it off. This has happened to thousands of people, and they haven't taken a single case to court. The Attorney Gen office has had sooooo many complants about this completly unfair practice of sending out bills 10 plus years old when interest and penalties are max... that they are "re-evaluating " this all... MY guess is that means you are safe if you ignore the letters. I think they are sending these letters out to see who will pay and whatever they collect they are happy with...

[jrburch]

The almost identical thing happened to me. I moved from New Milford to NC in June 1995, but didn't register my vehicles in NC until May 1996. Apparently in July 1996, New Milford sent out a tax bill from the period of Oct. 1995 to Sept. 1996. I never received it because the post office only forwards mail for 12 mos.

Then in Sept. 2007, I got a letter from American National Recovery Group saying I owed approx. $2100 in back taxes ($600 for the tax and $1500 in interest and penalties for the last 11 years). When you try to contact the town of New Milford, they say they have turned it over to the collection agency and when you talk to the collection agency, they simply say the law is the law and the town of New Milford does not have to notify me of any taxes due.

I talked to a lawyer and he said the statute of limitations had run out (6 yrs on suing for debt collection in CT and 7 yrs for reporting the debt to a credit agency). But the infamous George Dood says this doesn't apply to taxes and the statue of limitations is 15 yrs. He referred me to statute 12-164 and I read it, but got lost in the legalize. I am not sure if this statute supercedes all other laws on consumer protection or not.

I'll go back to my lawyer to update him on what George Dodd said and get his advice. And I have also sent e-mails to the mayor of New Milford on this scam and I also sent an email to the CT state attorney general giving him my view of the scam going on.

I am not ready to give in on this because it is simply wrong. Maybe this is New Milford's new revenue growth program, wait 10-15 years to maximize interest (21% per year) and penalties (15% per year). Then before the statute of limitations runs out (assuming the 15 yrs is right), go after former CT residents to collect on back taxes and the obscene interest and penalties tacked on.

I am also open to any suggestions.

[finny]

Well, I guess I must add my name to this rather lengthy list. I recently received a letter from ANRG in which they stated their intention to collect property taxes for the Town of Greenwich for 2001. Since I moved out of state in 2000, having paid my taxes, I can say with a clear conscience that I will not pay this bill. While I don't believe this to be a scam, I do think CT townships have cast much too large a net, ensnaring too many dolphins with the tuna. Below is some information I have gleaned from various sources that I have found to be useful in formulating a strategy for dealing with this travesty. I hope it might prove useful to others who find themselves in this situation. Please feel free to rebut, correct, etc.

1. It seems nearly impossible to prove that one does NOT owe this tax (how does one prove a negative in any case?). If your name appears on the Grand List, you owe it, and that's that--unless you notified the tax collector of your move and mailed in your CT plates concurrent with registering in the new state (neither of which I did). Even the most straightforward documentation seems to be rejected out-of-hand.

2. Per jrburch, the unpaid tax can only appear on a credit report for 7 years. Please note that this does not affect the obligation to pay. I believe this can be extended if one enters into an agreement with the CA, but I'm not sure.

3. Mr. Dodd's assertion of a 15-year statute of limitations for CT property tax is, I believe, correct.

4. The wording of the letter I received leads me to believe that this is assigned debt, not owned debt ("please make check payable to our client"). In this case the CA cannot take any legal action. They must refer the case back to the township.

5. Contacting a CA by phone seems to be the worst course one can take.

Based on this information, I will send the CA a certified letter requesting validation of the debt. I assume this "validation" will be weak at best. I will then either send another certified letter disputing the validation, or ignore them outright, since there is little they can do. Please follow the link below for more info regarding the FDCPA--debtors have rights and CA's must follow certain procedures. My hope is that when they realize I'm not just going to roll over, they'll go away.

Good luck to all

Links:

http://www.creditinfocenter.com/rebuild/debt_validation.shtml

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/pub/Chap926.htm

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=814&Q=245268&dmvPNavCtr=|39518|

http://community.lawyers.com/messageboards/message.asp?channelId=&subId=&mId=869807&mbId=127&threadId=88

[wolfeboro]

Hmmm... Same as "old CT resident"... I got the same note from George Dodd today and I was a Greenwich CT resident too. I just started reading up on this issue and I don't like what I'm reading. I moved out of CT in 1992 to NJ and I'm being billed for 1994 taxes which doesn't seem fair. I'd like to hear if others end up having to pay this.

[onemorganlover]

I was told by George to "google" FOI for Connecticut and get the proof of my debt that way. I wasn't able to find a FOI form for the DMV. I've written to the City and the DMV and gotten no reply.

Someone is pulling old tax debt from old records for purpose of trying to collect on it and get collection fees and when you ask for proof of the debt there's none. Then we're faced with trying to prove we didn't own something. I can't proove I never owned the Brooklyn Bridge - anyone want to buy it from me then!

Please - someone file a class action. This is rediculous!

[weare138]

To: jrburch

I have also been told that the 6-7 year statue of limitations doesn't apply to taxes, and that taxes have a 15 year statute of limitations. My lawyer said they are right and that these taxes have a 15 year SOL. What did your lawyer have to say about this?

[Scooterdog]

To: jrburch

I have also been told that the 6-7 year statue of limitations doesn't apply to taxes, and that taxes have a 15 year statute of limitations. My lawyer said they are right and that these taxes have a 15 year SOL. What did your lawyer have to say about this?

If the debt collector "bought" the tax debt/lien, the tax issue is settled.

Jrburch: Did the collector buy the debt? If they did, the SOL would apply as your lawyer explained.

[unclejosh]

About a year ago I got the dreaded letter and calls from Collection Company of America for Stamford, for CT vehicle taxes over 10 years old.

Luckily, the CA did not abide by the legal criteria as set forth by the Federal Trade Commission Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Specifically, under Section 809 (15 USC 1692g), “validation of debts”. STUDY THIS AND COMPARE WITH LETTER OR CONTENTS OF PHONE CALL. THEY MUST ABIDE BY THE RULES.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf


Armed with the above info, I wrote and sent a REGISTERED "cease and desist" letter claiming a "NULL and VOID" debt claim as per unmet FTC requirements. I also sent this letter to the Stamford tax assessor as an attachment. I also wrote a letter to the Stamford tax assessor as an affidavit that I have paid the taxes previously, and that it is impossible to prove this because no accountants or banks retain the canceled checks after 5 to 7 years, so cease and desist (!)

I never heard from them since, and knock on wood.

Unfortunately, ANRG and the infamous George Dodd recently sent me a letter re. Greenwich taxes. I lived there for about a year. Unfortunately, the letter appears to meet the criteria as per FTC rules, so no luck here.

In response, ignoring ANRG, I have sent a registered letter to the Greenwich tax assessor, as an affidavit that I have paid the taxes previously, and that it is impossible to prove this because no accountants or banks retain the canceled checks after 5 to 7 years, so cease and desist (!)

Otherwise, I will just ignore the letters for the next 4 years until the 15 year SOL runs out.......see:

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/pub/Chap204.htm#Sec12-164.htm

I hope this helps or gives some hope to others.......

Regards,

unclejosh

[unclejosh]

About a year ago I got the dreaded letter and calls from Collection Company of America for Stamford, for CT vehicle taxes over 10 years old.

Luckily, the CA did not abide by the legal criteria as set forth by the Federal Trade Commission Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Specifically, under Section 809 (15 USC 1692g), “validation of debts”. STUDY THIS AND COMPARE WITH LETTER OR CONTENTS OF PHONE CALL. THEY MUST ABIDE BY THE RULES.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf


Armed with the above info, I wrote and sent a REGISTERED "cease and desist" letter claiming a "NULL and VOID" debt claim as per unmet FTC requirements. I also sent this letter to the Stamford tax assessor as an attachment. I also wrote a letter to the Stamford tax assessor as an affidavit that I have paid the taxes previously, and that it is impossible to prove this because no accountants or banks retain the canceled checks after 5 to 7 years, so cease and desist (!)

I never heard from them since, and knock on wood.

Unfortunately, ANRG and the infamous George Dodd recently sent me a letter re. Greenwich taxes. I lived there for about a year. Unfortunately, the letter appears to meet the criteria as per FTC rules, so no luck here.

In response, ignoring ANRG, I have sent a registered letter to the Greenwich tax assessor, as an affidavit that I have paid the taxes previously, and that it is impossible to prove this because no accountants or banks retain the canceled checks after 5 to 7 years, so cease and desist (!)

Otherwise, I will just ignore the letters for the next 4 years until the 15 year SOL runs out.......see:

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/pub/Chap204.htm#Sec12-164.htm

I hope this helps or gives some hope to others.......

Regards,

unclejosh

[run262]

Okay this is weird, since I made a $200.00 payment on this car tax (before I found this website) someone told me I was stuck paying the whole thing because the statue of limitations starts again from the time of your payment? I never got a receipt from my payment or another letter from George Dodd and NRG saying how much I still owed and it's been 3 months since my payment, no word from them. So I've called there twice, and no one answers the phone. Just a recording that says "No room for messages" What do I do now?

[dagarwal]

Hi, I just received a similar letter from George Todd, it doesn't explain what the charges are but looks like something related to a car purchased in CT. The funny thing is I purchased the car in July 2001 and move out of CT to NJ in a month. Can anybody point me to a good lawyer please? I am now residing in Northern California. The charges seemed to be some sort of taxes charged from 2001-2003. Is it true the clock for the 7 year rule for Collections affecting your credit score starts ticking from the day you get delinquent?

[chrishk]

I just received my second communication from ANRC Group in which Dodd says that taxes are not covered under the FDPCA because they don't fit the description of the term "debt" defined by Section 803 part #5.

His letter says, "Taxes are a soverign fee, created by Federal or State entities are not related to goods or services for the individual, but to the communal need and as such do not fit this definition."
So I did not get debt verification or validation as requested in my letter to them. It seems to me that they still have to send information in order to prove to me that I owe the money (I actually have found old bank statements that show payments made, but I'm sure for the original amount of the bill.) Is there any statute out there that outlines Town/State/Federal responsibility to verify that a person actually owes back taxes?

[kms123]

How can a collector assert a sovereign fee? The original creditor still has to validate the tax, or the creditor could fraudulently seek to extract money. I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY, BUT THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

I just got the infamous George Dodd letter, and am crafting a response too.

[chrishk]

Geo informs me that taxes being a fee created by Federal or State entities are not related to goods or services for the individual and therefore not subject to the FDPCA. Taxes are not a debt covered by the definition of "debt" as described in Section 803 part #5. In other word they are saying that the FDPCA rules that govern debt collectors does not apply to taxes. They are refusing to validate the tax debt and are saying that I can't bring lawsuit, but in the letter I got from them today they're obviously hiding behind the fact that the tax debt is not owned by them and referring it back to the Town of Seymour.

This third communication sounds like they're trying to act as if they haven't heard from me at all! This time they're threatening me with, "unless we receive either communication from you or payment within 20 days we may feel obligated to recommend to the client that they report to credit bureau."

I've found old bank statements (thank heaven I'm a paper packrat!) that show payments made to the Town of Seymour just before I moved in 2000, but I need the original billing amount to determine if this bill has already been paid, plus they don't reference an automobile on two of the accounts (one smaller bill for 2000 and the bill for 2001.) As for the taxes they're trying to get me for 2001, I did not live in CT then and have my moving van documents and, again, bank statements showing payment to the Oregon DMV and my son's high school registration fees.

I am going to resend both of my letters registered mail this time at the same time - that way I'll have the signed stub as evidence because if they report to the credit agencies without validating or verifying the debt I am going to send copies to Senator Wyden. I told his office about this and they told me that if I can't get Connecticut to back off to forward everything to them and they'd help me.

Is there a website where can I get legal information that covers debt verification as related to taxes? I want to know if I can bring a lawsuit.

Connecticut IS the 5th ring of hell!

[vangothelaw]

I just got my letter yesterday. My husband and I happily left Danbury, CT over 13 years ago and now the United Adjustment Corporation informs me that my husband and I owed the city of Danbury $1,271.50. It seems to be because we didn't mail back our old license plates to the Danbury DMV when we moved back to California and we are being charged vehicle tax on our two cars plus 13 years of interest at 18%. (I am waiting for a letter from United Adjustment Corporation with the exact details). Now we are being threatened with a lawsuit and a damaged credit rating if we don't pay up. If I was a more suspicious individual I might wonder if the city waited 13 years with no effort to notify us of this debt in order to collect a big fat interest penalty from unsuspecting citizens. After reading the above posts it looks like most people's "debt" is over 10 years old.

I found the post that said if the debt collector bought the tax debt, the tax issue is settled and a statute of limitation applies. One of the many e-mails I sent yesterday was to the mayor of Danbury. In his second, somewhat nasty reply to me he said, "We sold your unpaid tax bill to UAC. That is what we do with delinquent accounts." Does this means a SOL applies?

"Connecticut is the 5th ring of hell." I remember that movie, The Ref with Dennis Leary. My husband and I saw that while we were still living in CT and laughed our asses off!

[chrishk]

You only have a couple years left regardless because CT has a fifteen year statute of limitations for tax debt. Actually, if they really did sell your debt, then I believe that the regular statute of limitation of 7 years applies and you should send them (CA) a cease and desist letter. I sent my follow up letter asking a second time for debt validation and have given them 15 days to respond. Next step for me is cease and desist and after that possibly a lawsuit.

[luv2look4fun]

I have also recieved "the letter" from American National Recovery Group for taxes on 2 vehicles from 13 yrs ago...one vehicle I never owned, it was registered to my father who died in 2006, I don't even think he owned it in 1996. I moved out of CT in 1991 and the taxes they are asking me for are from 1993-1996 between both vehicles. I am also stuck in the situation of not having registration records for vehicles I have not owned for amlost 15 yrs.

From reading the posts on here, it appears "they" have 15 yrs to try to collect this kind of debt and according to the law they do not have to show any evidence of the debt being valid. Does that go against the fair credit reporting act? There has to be some kind of "records", how else would ANRG got our info in the first place? It sounds like the municipalities and this CA are just trying to use some BS loophole to put money in their pockets.

My questions are:
1. Am I correct in understanding the situation as mentioned above?
2. What are the ramifications for not paying this?
3. Has anyone actually had this show up on their credit report?
4. Who would we need to contact within the state of CT to protest this absurd law and change the legislation?

[buzzrama]

I have got a similar letter from ANRC stating that I owe $713 (Client: Town Of Mansfield) for a car I have sold 2 years ago. I had also moved out of Connecticut in 1998 and have lived in KY, where I sold the car in 2006. I have no documents related to the car in question. What can I do?

[run262]

They can't report your "debt" to a credit agency if it is over 7 years. CT hasn't gone after in court any of these old taxes. The collection agencies are just seeing who they can scare into paying. Unfortunatly, I was scared into making a partial payment. Someone wrote that the 7 and 15 years do not apply if you make a partial payment, that it starts again. Does anyone know if this is true?

[chrishk]

OK, so the 15 days has passed on my second request for debt validation/verification and not a peep from Dodd, now I'll send a cease and desist letter demanding that they remove me from their files and send proof that they've done it. Has anyone ever been reported to credit agencies over this crap? Their window of opportunity to report me closes this July 7th and I'll be watching like a hawk because I intend to bring lawsuit if they do without sending the information I asked for.

[luv2look4fun]

I read all the posts on here and the best thing to do seems to be ignoring this since this collection agency is exploiting a loophole in the law. Or contact the state requesting this legislation be rewritten, another idea is complaining directly to the municipality directly (if they get enough complaints maybe it won't be worthwhile to pursue)...lastly contact the media, local news or paper.

All the posts on here say "they" are not required to provide us with proof of debt and even if you do they can still request you pay it which just doesn't sound legal to me. :no:

From reading all the posts on here it is just someone trying to scare people into paying.

[run262]

Can they re-start the clock on the 15 years????

[checkmate]

Lived in CT till 97.Paid taxes. Paid tax in SC from 97-99. Moved back to CT in 99. I was able to register in CT from 99 till now. Paid CT tax from 99 till now. Now cannot register because of 1997 tax lein. Went to Litchfield and they showed 97 bill returned to them that they mailed in 98. (no kidding they don't foward mail that old). I have ALL my receipts from 93 till now including tax and reg. Im waiting for a response from Blumenthal. I refuse to pay over 400.00 in interest. Thankfully I have'nt heard from Dodd. Im moving out of state next month and want to register in the state Im moving to now. That way I will hand deliver my CT plates, go to town hall and reguest my last tax bill,and leave PATHETICUT once and for all !!! Too bad CT residents are unaware of 10 year plus bills till the interest is SO high, paperwork is lost and your pristine credit is destroyed. This unjust is affecting soo many residents IM positive local news and radio would be more than willing to do a story on it. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME !!!!

[jhobbs]

We were just contacted by George Dodd about an automobile we owned when we lived in CT 7 years ago. Same complaint as the majority of the entires, registered car in another state, had a mailed forwarded and never received a bill.

I refuse to pay taxes in a state when the car was no longer registered there and I had to pay taxes in the new state (MD). I am also sending Dear George a letter that the debt is in dispute. How do we submit a complaint to the attorney generals office. I tried visiting the website, but the consumer complaint appears to target purchases and contracts.

[vangothelaw]

I e-mailed the Attorney General of CT here Attorney.General@po.state.ct.us and got this response:


I am in receipt of your letter concerning a property tax bill from the city of Danbury for taxes owed.
The Attorney General’s Office does not have authority over the municipal collection of property taxes. Recently, many municipalities have begun aggressively collecting past due motor vehicle taxes by sending such taxes to a private collection agency. Some uncollected taxes resulted from the taxpayer moving from the town between October 1 when the Grand List was established and the following June when the tax bills based on that grand list were mailed. A municipality may collect delinquent taxes for 15 years after the property tax is due.
While it may seem unfair, current state law does not require municipalities to prove actual receipt of the tax bill, nor to follow up with a late notice. The towns do not have the authority to waive interest and penalties on delinquent taxes unless the taxpayer can prove inability to pay.
I understand your frustration but regret that I cannot be of direct assistance to you. I hope you are able to resolve this issue soon.

Very truly yours,

Richard Blumenthal
ATTORNEY GENERAL



I sent him a second e-mail and here is his response:


There is legislation currently pending before the General Assembly -- which I have supported -- that would restrict the ability of a municipality to charge interest after 3 years if they don't have proof that the taxpayer received notice of the outstanding bill. Although it is uncertain whether the legislation will pass, it is clear that the legislature is concerned about the current practice.

Sincerely,
Richard Blumenthal
ATTORNEY GENERAL


It couldn't hurt to keep those complaints/e-mails coming...harder to ignore.

[btb838]

George Dodd
Collection Coordinator
American National Recovery Group, INC.
144 Route 59 - Suite 4
Suffern, NY 10901


Re: Account #: XXXX-XXXXX8867
Frank Rizzo
161st St
Bronx, NY 10451


June 17, 2008

Dear Mr. Dodd,

I was astonished to receive your letter referencing account # XXXX-XXXXX8867. I fully dispute the debt of $1,648.64 or any portion thereof. I did not live in the state of Connecticut at any time during 1994 or 1995. Therefore I do NOT owe any taxes to the state of Connecticut. This letter is proof of a response that I fully dispute your attempt to collect this debt.

I trust that this invalid collection attempt will not be reported to any credit bureau in any form. Should I find differently, I will seek legal remedy against you, American National Recovery Group, and the state of Connecticut. I would like to see that this collection activity is taken care of in a quick efficient matter. Any further attempts to collect this invalid tax bill will be considered harassment.

Most sincerely,



Frank Rizzo

[henryjones]

Hi Everyone,

I also had the same thing happen - from the town of Mansfield, CT, and it was "Mr Dodd" at American Recovery Group (although on my second letter from them, it was a different person with a real signature, not computer generated).

I contacted the town directly and they told me to use www carfax com to get a copy of the vehicle's history to prove that the car was registered out of state during the period in question.

You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN), if you don't have it, it is listed on the forms that the collection agency sends to you. Enter it, pay $25 for the history, print it out and fax it to the town's assessor's office. They told me that it was sufficient for proving that the taxes were not actually due and that THEY would contact the collection agency and call them off.

Good luck!

[Velvet625]

I'm completely lost here. We just got one of these letters everyone is talking about from Mr Dodd today saying we owed back taxes on two vehicals we never owned. How are we suppose to prove that?

We did live in Connecticut for a few years while stationed in the navy but were not there the years these taxes are for and never owned the vehicals they listed, two of them.

.. angry in Minnesota

[ekjesse]

Searched the web and found this thread.

I, along with many others have received the "letter" from ANRG stating the same about the car tax monies being owed. I did call his office and got the real "George" on the phone and he explained that there was not much I could do about it.

I called the tax assessors office and they explained that the bulk of the monies owed was for interest. After going through the whole sch peel of my move to NY in 2000, and having properly turned in my plates, re registering my cars in NY - they told me that I need the original NY registration document. NY does not keep computerized records past 4 yrs. I contacted CT DMV - sent $40 and got a returned plate record for both vehicles - called the assessors office back and they said that this was still not enough proof, even with Federal/State tax records for the tax year in question or the letter and documentation from my ins. agent proving NY insurance. I politely explained that "all" of my other mail got to me, all except that is for the tax bill.

It would appear that the tax I owed was form the infamous 10/1 date and were in the actual tax bill does not go out until July of the next year. I said that I would gladly pay the tax from 10/01 to 1/02 (the period if time when my vehicles were still under Ct registration) and that was fine with them, that is if I could provide the proof that they want, which seems to be as of this point, very difficult to obtain.

I'm going to keep plugging away at this, and I do eventually plan to pay what I owe, but nothing more - fair is fair. I've have never been late on/or have not paid any of my bills.

Best to all

[BillA1234]

I am having the same exact issue. I moved out of Ct in 1998 and just received a collection note from a collection agency for car taxes from 1997 and 1998. I called the town and they told me that all the bills they sent had been returned as undeliverable. I have been living at the same address in MA. for the past 10 years, am listed in the phone book and have had no issues getting mail.

The bills now total over $4,200.00 which is over 80% penalty and interest. I can not find any records of my tax payments from 97 and 98. If I do owe the taxes I will pay them but since there was no attempt by the town to notify me as they continued to get returned mail I do not feel I should be responsible for the penalty and interest. What can I do?

[GoneFromCT]

I too recently received a couple of nasty gram letters from Mr. Dodd regarding an unpaid Property Tax bill from the City of Fairfield from 1992. Yes, 1992! (and I left CT in 1996 and have never been back).

Rather than deal with the collections agency, which I would agree is likely to be futile -- I chose to contact the Tax Collector for the City of Fairfield directly by telephone (you can generally find this number on the city's website).

He was able to pull up the offending record from the account number listed on the Dodd letter, and more importantly confirm for me that the Statue of Limitation for this tax in CT is 15 years from date tax was originally due. He confirmed that statute had run for me and that he would be informing Mr. Dodd to stop trying to collect on this account.

Finally, this does indicate -- that at least for City of Fairfield -- that they have not actually "sold" the debt.

Of course, that doesn't explain why they were still trying to collect after 17 years . . . but nobody is accusing these guys of playing fair.

My advice to anybody dealing with this -- just call the City Tax Collector directly -- and they will likely give you a straight answer. If you actually owe the money, they are also probably the only people who can actually cut you a deal on any fees and interest payments that have accrued over the years (as they are the owners of the debt, at least in this case)

[thelawprofessor]

The statute of limitations is a defense that must be presented. It's not always clear when it begins to run and that is frequently open to dispute. Not that I'm saying I know what Dodd was doing by trying to collect or what his business actually is, just how the law works. A can sue B and it's up to B to claim a statute of limitations defense. If not, the case usually proceeds.

[solozone]

There are hundreds of us in this predicament. What is different, in my case, is that they are starting to prove we didn't provide evidence, which they don't provide evidence really by deduction of evidence. They cannot prove delivery of the bills, or follow-up of the bills, and fall back on its the owners responsibility. So we are now forced to provide documentation for aged material that most people do not retain. Below is my history of events from the City of Danbury Tax Collection.


12 year old auto debt (1997)
no proof or contact by Danbury
Costs are now in $1000 range (from Collectors TaxServ Capital Services)
Car taxes were paid at time of plate drop off, I was the one who dropped them off. Sad thing, as everyone else, my records do not go back that far, I had up to 1999.
First Nasty gram I responded with cease and desist. Quoting FDCP practices and CSG52-576 SOL.
Got a RESPONSE from them; that 15 years is SOL under CGS12-164, FDCP does not apply to taxes, ON TOP OF THAT, they are now providing CARFAX printouts from the Web about the vehicles, showing that the cars were not re-registed until years after 1997 (one shows it was not registered until 2004)
This CARFAX is just wrong as I was driving these cars legally and registered when we left CT to NY in 1997. So now the burden is now on me for evidence for re-registration.
They even got so bold, to indicate, that I would have to prove re-registration before 10/1997 or show payment records of the tax. Records of payment? Probably not gonna find that. I found on the NYS DMV website a form MV15 @ $10 per request to get Registration Records. Regardless of the MV15 form, I know I will not make the cutoff date of re-registering the cars of 10/1997 as I moved in 1/1998.
Unless I can provide the payment records, I am without evidence, and the cards are stacked against me


This is just not right, that they do not have provide evidence of sending me or trying to contact me, but I have to provide I paid them!!!!!

[BaBaBooey]

There are hundreds of us in this predicament. What is different, in my case, is that they are starting to prove we didn't provide evidence, which they don't provide evidence really by deduction of evidence. They cannot prove delivery of the bills, or follow-up of the bills, and fall back on its the owners responsibility. So we are now forced to provide documentation for aged material that most people do not retain. Below is my history of events from the City of Danbury Tax Collection.


12 year old auto debt (1997)
no proof or contact by Danbury
Costs are now in $1000 range (from Collectors TaxServ Capital Services)
Car taxes were paid at time of plate drop off, I was the one who dropped them off. Sad thing, as everyone else, my records do not go back that far, I had up to 1999.
First Nasty gram I responded with cease and desist. Quoting FDCP practices and CSG52-576 SOL.
Got a RESPONSE from them; that 15 years is SOL under CGS12-164, FDCP does not apply to taxes, ON TOP OF THAT, they are now providing CARFAX printouts from the Web about the vehicles, showing that the cars were not re-registed until years after 1997 (one shows it was not registered until 2004)
This CARFAX is just wrong as I was driving these cars legally and registered when we left CT to NY in 1997. So now the burden is now on me for evidence for re-registration.
They even got so bold, to indicate, that I would have to prove re-registration before 10/1997 or show payment records of the tax. Records of payment? Probably not gonna find that. I found on the NYS DMV website a form MV15 @ $10 per request to get Registration Records. Regardless of the MV15 form, I know I will not make the cutoff date of re-registering the cars of 10/1997 as I moved in 1/1998.
Unless I can provide the payment records, I am without evidence, and the cards are stacked against me


This is just not right, that they do not have provide evidence of sending me or trying to contact me, but I have to provide I paid them!!!!!

As a practical matter the city would have to either file suit and/or file a lien.
If a suit results in a judgment against you, you'll have no choice but to pay it.

However, if no suit or lien has been filed after 7 years, you are in the clear in terms of a lien, judgment or credit reporting.
You would technically still owe the debt but if you have no intention of residing there before the 15 year statute of limitations kicks in, you're in the clear as there's really nothing they can do.

[vfielder]

They should contact there States Attorney's Office, each and everyone. I have had to do this in the past and so far haven't been disappointed.

[OutofCT]

I moved out of CT 9 years ago, and got a call out of nowhere from a collection agency. I contacted the City of Danbury directly and was routed to the Tax Assesor. Explained the situation and they said there's nothing they can do for prorating the bill. Either you pay in full or show prove the car was not in CT prior to Oct-1.

The "cutoff" date is Oct-1, and I moved out Oct-10. I have all the evidence (plane tickets, etc.), but they say it cannot be prorated. There's only an 18 month window for prorating after you move out. Beyond that the whole tax bill is due, along with penalties. $1000 for 10 days of "use" 10 years ago. I never did receive any notification in 10 years, even though the state had my forwarding address from my income taxes.

I called the Office of Policy Management and they confirmed the SOL is 15 years, and that this is handled at the city level. There's nothing the state can do. They suggested I hire a local attorney to correct this. This sounds like such a scam. What's fair is fair, and in this case it is not. I tried working with them, without success.

Has anyone successfully resolved this? I guess one option is to let the SOL run out?

[BaBaBooey]

I moved out of CT 9 years ago, and got a call out of nowhere from a collection agency. I contacted the City of Danbury directly and was routed to the Tax Assesor. Explained the situation and they said there's nothing they can do for prorating the bill. Either you pay in full or show prove the car was not in CT prior to Oct-1.

The "cutoff" date is Oct-1, and I moved out Oct-10. I have all the evidence (plane tickets, etc.), but they say it cannot be prorated. There's only an 18 month window for prorating after you move out. Beyond that the whole tax bill is due, along with penalties. $1000 for 10 days of "use" 10 years ago. I never did receive any notification in 10 years, even though the state had my forwarding address from my income taxes.

I called the Office of Policy Management and they confirmed the SOL is 15 years, and that this is handled at the city level. There's nothing the state can do. They suggested I hire a local attorney to correct this. This sounds like such a scam. What's fair is fair, and in this case it is not. I tried working with them, without success.

Has anyone successfully resolved this? I guess one option is to let the SOL run out?

Ignore the collection notices.
The fact is that the City has already charged off the so-called "debt".
The fact that a collection agency is contacting you is the indicator.
It is already off the books as an outstanding 'debt'.

[MadinMA]

This will be somewhat of a repeat of what others have already said, but I just got a letter from American National Recovery too. Westport, CT is the town, and again an automobile property tax bill. Apparently the debt is from a 1994 auto tax bill that was due 7/1/95 for $129.92. Now, with penalties and interest it is $533.02. I have unblemished credit, and this really burns me. I'm not going to just shell out $533 when they never even made the effort to get a bill to me until over 14 years after I moved away! I know I had a forwarding address in place at that time, I sent my plates and new address back to the state in March of 95, I filed an income tax return for 94 and I never received any bill for this tax from Westport.

If not for the penalties and interest I might actually pay this today without putting up a fight, but it just seems unfair to spring this on people so far after the alleged debt was incurred that producing any records is very difficult. This appears to be legal, but also stupid. If they wanted to sick a collection agent on me they should have done it 14 years ago, not when the town just needs money.

I have two questions:

1 - Is it really true that you can not put this on my credit report after 7 years?
2 – Is there a fifteen year statue of limitations and if so when does it start? In my case I hope it is 7/1/95 or 14 years and 4 months ago for me.

[B66?]

I too recieved in the mail a collection notice from ANRG group. We moved from CT in 1995. The notice is for years 1995, 1996. My wifes married name appears, she was divorced in 1998, we married in1993. We registered the vehicle here in SC 1995. Something not right here..