ErinMuffins
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Ohio
My husband and I were married in 2005. In February of 2002 we began living together in a suburb of Cleveland. Prior to that, my husband lived with his mother in the city of Cleveland. My husband never lived in the city of Cleveland again.
Last Friday he got a notice in the mail that he owed back Cleveland taxes and that he had to appear in court. Monday morning (yes, the tax man works on Vet day!) he called to inquire as to what tax year and why it was coming up now since he didn't live there for so many years. Apparently, they believe he owes from 2001 through 2005!
Here is where things get murkey. I found our past leases and had my husband fax them to the tax collector and figured now that they see we lived elsewhere, he will likely only need to pay a small amount for 2001 (we was 20 years old then and didn't make much money). After reviewing the documents my husband was told that "lots of people sign leases for other people to help them out" and that the leases were not sufficient proof of residence.
Apparently, my husband didn't have much faith in our relationship at this time and left his address on his drivers license as his mom's Cleveland address until 2004. Furthermore, he didn't change his address with his employers until 2004ish. It looks and feels like we are in trouble now, but the fact and truth remains that my husband did not live in the city of Cleveland. I can not find tax returns from prior to 2005 (when we married) so i fear that there may be more discrepancies.
Is there anything we can do to avoid paying the city of Cleveland? We will if we must, but I still feel this is a question worth asking since he really didn't live in Cleveland and I hate being strong armed by such an irresponsible municipality (ironic huh?). For what it is worth, I am not behind on taxes, and my husband and I are current with the regional income tax agency. We are not trying to avoid paying our taxes, I just feel this not a tax he should owe. I know I could be wrong though...
thanks in advance for any advice!
My husband and I were married in 2005. In February of 2002 we began living together in a suburb of Cleveland. Prior to that, my husband lived with his mother in the city of Cleveland. My husband never lived in the city of Cleveland again.
Last Friday he got a notice in the mail that he owed back Cleveland taxes and that he had to appear in court. Monday morning (yes, the tax man works on Vet day!) he called to inquire as to what tax year and why it was coming up now since he didn't live there for so many years. Apparently, they believe he owes from 2001 through 2005!
Here is where things get murkey. I found our past leases and had my husband fax them to the tax collector and figured now that they see we lived elsewhere, he will likely only need to pay a small amount for 2001 (we was 20 years old then and didn't make much money). After reviewing the documents my husband was told that "lots of people sign leases for other people to help them out" and that the leases were not sufficient proof of residence.
Apparently, my husband didn't have much faith in our relationship at this time and left his address on his drivers license as his mom's Cleveland address until 2004. Furthermore, he didn't change his address with his employers until 2004ish. It looks and feels like we are in trouble now, but the fact and truth remains that my husband did not live in the city of Cleveland. I can not find tax returns from prior to 2005 (when we married) so i fear that there may be more discrepancies.
Is there anything we can do to avoid paying the city of Cleveland? We will if we must, but I still feel this is a question worth asking since he really didn't live in Cleveland and I hate being strong armed by such an irresponsible municipality (ironic huh?). For what it is worth, I am not behind on taxes, and my husband and I are current with the regional income tax agency. We are not trying to avoid paying our taxes, I just feel this not a tax he should owe. I know I could be wrong though...
thanks in advance for any advice!