Payroll Taxes from 2001?

[helpme2009]

My ex-husband, my ex-husband's friend and I started a construction company in 2000, an Inc. The business only ran for about a year and we called it quits. I then filed for divorce in October 2002 and my ex-husband and I went through a personal bankruptcy in conjunction with the divorce. I just received a letter, out of the blue nine years later, from a collection agency on behalf of the Attorney General, Ohio Dept of Taxation the business name with an estimated payroll tax owed of $8500. When I called the collection agency, she said this amount was only an estimate and I needed to send in the ST1120 tax forms for 2001 and 2002. I told her that I have none of this paperwork anymore and we had quit the business at the end of 2000. She advised me that our business is still active with the Secretary of State which I didn't realize. I was the accountant for the business. I just want to know what my rights are. I am completely taken back. I sold the residence we had the business at in October 200. I asked the collection agency why I am just now being contacted about this and she could not give me an answer. What are my rights and how should I proceed? Thanks for your help.

 

[BaBaBooey]

Just a point about the divorce.
This will NOT get you any slack cut with any government agency.

Debt assignments from divorce are a CIVIL matter and the Fed, State or local government won't care one bit about a divorce decree and furthermore the law is on their side in this matter.
If your divorce decree dealt with this issue at all, you'll probably have to sue your ex for any relief.

However, one thing that is in your favor is that you have been contacted by a collection agency and not the State of Ohio.
This MAY be an indication that they have already classified the supposed debt as a charge off.

Get all your documentation together that proves that the business actually ceased operations and speak with a CPA and a business attorney.