Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Months ago, I received two checks from the state of Hawaii as tax refunds. But on the bottom left of both checks is written "1997 Tax Refund Subject to Audit." Is that written on all refund checks, or will I be audited for sure? Statement means audit
is possible, not certainIt's standard policy to have all state tax refund checks imprinted with the phrase "subject to audit."
This means that although you got a refund, your return still COULD be audited, as is the case with all returns, and not that it WILL be audited, said state Department of Taxation spokeswoman June Yamamoto.
An audit is not conducted before checks are issued in an effort to issue the refunds quickly, she said.
There is a three-year statute of limitations, from the date the return was due or filed, on the auditing of returns. So Yamamoto said taxpayers should keep all tax records on a particular return at least that long.
FYI: About 6,500 audits are completed annually, including office examinations and field audits. But Yamamoto said she couldn't divulge any details on how audits are determined, citing section 92F-13(3) of the Uniform Information Practices Act.
However, she did say that the main sources of information in determining audits generally are a computer selection program or leads provided by federal agencies, state agencies, citizens and the Multistate Tax Commission.
We got a bill from MCI for $16.05. We don't belong to MCI. But when I called GTE and MCI, they told me I opened an account. We are on a fixed income and cannot afford to pay for two services. Can you help?
Without knowing details -- you did not leave a contact number -- GTE Hawaiian Tel can only surmise that you may have signed up for a special offer that included approval to change long-distance providers. That's because both GTE and MCI said you signed up for MCI.
"There are many legitimate ways that long-distance providers can package special offers from other companies with their long-distance service," said Hawaiian Tel spokesman Keith Kamisugi. "Consumers receiving these offers in the mail, over the phone or through the Internet should read the conditions of the offer carefully."
Call 843-3343. "We may be able to assist the customer if she signed up for a promotional offer but was not aware of the long-distance provider charge," Kamisugi said.
Following the complaint about thefts along Gardenia Street, East Honolulu police officers planned to meet with residents to discuss setting up a Neighborhood Security Watch program, said Officer Ford Ebesugawa. More on Gardenia Street
Once a neighborhood decides to set up a security watch, officers will assist in finding participants, provide stickers and help obtain street signs.
If your neighborhood is interested, call 529-3352. For East Honolulu, call 951-4280.
To the gentleman who witnessed and provided me with the license number of the hit-and-run car that rear-ended my car around 2:30 p.m. Aug. 26 on Beretania Street fronting the Mormon Tabernacle. -- No name Mahalo
To Aloha United Way. With your "100 percent participation" campaign, we're forced to make donations or the whole department or company looks bad. I prefer to give to other charities, and I resent being forced to give to AUW. -- No name Auwe
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
