paying taxes

[bnm]

Any thoughts on this. I moved within the city of Meriden and did not recieve a motor vehicle tax bill. I recently got a delinquint tax notice with a $17 late fee. The bill was sent to an address that was before my previous address. I called and they asked if I changed my address with the DMV. I said yes in July. He said that it is my responsibility to pay the bill regardless of notification and could not credit my late fee. Let's be honest during a move the last thing you think about is paying a bill that comes once a year, especially if you think you have done the right thin by changing your address. Anyway, he suggested I pay my bill by phone or online, so I paid it online. After paying the bill I realized I paid a $10 conveince fee charge. Is there any recourse to these fees? I would have thought in good faith I would have been credited the late fee because my history has never been delinquint. The road to hell is paved with good intentions..

[jma]

A few years ago, I was sent a notice that my registration was being cancelled for not paying taxes. I went to the tax office, and found out they sent my bill to the wrong address. An address I NEVER LIVED at!! I never even lived in that neighborhood. They still insisted I pay the late charges, and also insisted that I must have lived there. Unbelievable!!

[eds]

It is a strange system but unfortunately some good hard working people get caught up in it. Its designed that way to garner the fees. Towns actually budget for a certain amount of fees and they want to collect. They make it hard to pay so some will pay the fees too. Nickel and dime nickel and dime. It adds up.

It's bad, but what can we do?

[jma]

You're right. Bottom line--I should've paid attention when my taxes were due, and checked with the tax department when I didn't receive a notice. They certainly have a thankless job in there. The politians aren't the ones sitting there face-to-face with grumbling citizens as they pay their taxes. Would be an interesting concept, though!!