Tax payment ends up in limbo

KIRKLAND, Wash. - Darren Fields is the owner of  'Matt's Gourmet Hot Dogs" and can make one tasty wiener.

"When you're talking about peppers, I know what you want," he said.

But like any businessman, Darren doesn't relish paying taxes. In July he paid the Department of Revenue $1900 toward his sales tax bill, but the state said it never got the money.

"They said the check is not posted with their bank," he said.

That answer tightened Darren's buns quick because if the payment isn't made, his business license is in peril.

"You've got to sell a lot of hot dogs to make up that $1900," he said.

Darren called the Department of Revenue and sent a copy of his check plus a letter from his bank saying it cleared, but that evidence didn't make the state believers.

"They've told me they are still in the process of finding out where it was, and that's been at least three months," said Darren.

Darren called me and I showed the state his bank records. Somehow his payment was taken out of his account and never made it to the state. It was in limbo.

After they figured out where the money was, the fix was quick and the state got their money.

Jesse Jones: "This must be a huge weight off your shoulders?"

Darren Fields: "Oh, definitely, I feel a lot better now."

The Department of Revenue says the problem was really a bank issue, but they were glad to help out when we called.

If you have a similar issue with the Department of Revenue, look for the endorsement on the back of the check - that should clear up the issue quickly.