I'm Darrin Mish. For 32 years I've practiced federal tax litigation \u2014 routine audits, Tax Court cases, and everything in between. If you're facing an IRS issue, here's what you need to know first.<\/p>\n
The Ignatio hotel in Novato has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Sherry Lynn Vertoch, 64, for failing to pay $55,175.25 in various hotel charges comprising of room fees, pet charges and miscellaneous expenses over a two year stay.\u00a0 The lawsuit was filed at the Marin Superior Court last Friday.\u00a0 Vertoch faces a jail term of up to 3 years when sentencing is carried out April 20.\u00a0 She pleaded guilty to the charge.<\/p>\n
Vertoch has been staying at the Ignatio hotel for short spells over the past few years and had always settled her bills in cash.\u00a0 But two years ago, she checked in and stayed at the hotel until recently without paying anything.\u00a0 Every time the hotel pressed for payment, Vertoch claimed she was an IRS agent<\/a> on an extended investigation in the area.\u00a0 She allegedly told the hotel that she would forward their invoices to her employer, the IRS for payment to be made but in fact, she never worked for them.<\/p>\n Vertoch stayed in room 121 between Jan 21, 2008 and Jan 26, 2010.\u00a0 The room rate was $79 per night.<\/p>\n Even if the hotel wins the judgment against Vertoch, it may not receive the payment it is owed.\u00a0 However lawyers representing the hotel stated that the hotel wants to stake their claim on Vortech\u2019s present and future assets.\u00a0 The hotel would be able to seize whatever assets Vertoch has at present in order to receive restitution and if she does come into any money within the next 10 years, the hotel would be able to claim on that as well due to the judgment against her.<\/p>\n A case management conference has been scheduled for July 15 before Judge James Ritchie.<\/p>\n Good News for Maine Taxpayers from IRS<\/p>\n 4,900 Maine taxpayers are owed more than $4.2 million in tax refunds by the IRS and they have until April 15 to claim their dues.\u00a0 This debt dates back to 2006 when they did not file an income tax return.\u00a0 To receive the refund, they have to file a tax return before the April deadline.<\/p>\n Some of these taxpayers did not file their return because their income was not high enough to warrant submitting a return while still having their salaries deducted for taxes or making quarterly estimated payments.\u00a0 In such cases, the law stipulates that you have a 3 year period in order to submit your tax return and make your claim, otherwise the money will be sent to the US Treasury.<\/p>\n However, your 2006 refund may not be in the form of a check.\u00a0 If you have not paid your subsequent years\u2019 taxes, your refund will be used to offset your tax debts.\u00a0 In addition, your refund may also be applied to unpaid child support payments or other federal debts like student loans.<\/p>\n