payroll taxes

[macole]

New York - Just recently I was terminated due to my job being eliminated. Since then I have been told by the companies controller that the owner is way behind on paying parole taxes to the gov. and state. This includes the pay that I received when I was working their. What are the penalties? Am I liable for the taxes? Should I notify someone about this to make sure they are paid? According to the controller this has been going on for quite a while and includes all of the employees, which is about 150 individuals. The company is also way behind on paying all of its suppliers and other monthy bills. The company is a retail chain with 18 stores and in each store location the company is behind on paying utilities, newspapers, radio stations and so on. What should I do?

 

[Beth3]

If your ex-employer was withholding state, federal, and social security taxes from paychecks and NOT sending that money to the required gov't entities, they are in some major hot water. You can stiff your suppliers but you do not stiff the gov't.

I suggest you start by calling your State's internal revenue service and see how they advise you. If the money was withheld, I expect the company is on the hook for the missing taxes, not you but let them confirm that for you so you can get some sleep tonight.

It IS April 15th today, so if you can't get through, try again tomorrow.