Some Taxpayers' Checks For Local Taxes Still Not Cashed
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Like thousands of taxpayers, Alan Siger of Shadyside paid his city income taxes on time and then noticed something peculiar, he told KDKA money editor Jon Delano.
Siger: "I filed my return on April 10 and sent a check with it, and I noticed while reconciling my checkbook this past week that the check had not cleared."
Delano: "How long it's been?"
Siger: "It's been over two months."
Delano: "Two months to cash a check?"
Siger: "That's correct."
Siger is not alone. Jon Delano's check to his municipality has not been cashed yet either.
Turns out that Jordan Tax Services, that processes these tax payments for the city and many suburban municipalities, has still not cashed the checks.
"Totally unacceptable," says Paul Leger, Pittsburgh's new finance director.
Leger says he was baffled that Jordan Tax Services was not cashing checks due the city.
"I was first of all very surprised that an independent private business contractor would act this way," adds Leger.
He said not cashing the checks both delays payment to the city and risks putting taxpayers -- who think the check is cashed -- in an NSF or "non-sufficient funds" situation with their banks.
Delano: "When do you want these checks cashed?"
Leger: "In three days."
Mary Abbott chairs the committee that hired Jordan to process taxes for 63 municipalities and school districts.
She says Jordan used to cash checks right away and then review returns, but now Jordan reviews the tax return before cashing the check.
Delano: "Are they're municipalities and school districts that would like to have that money now, rather than wait a couple months?
Abbott: "Well, I haven't heard from anyone."
Well, the city does want taxpayers' checks cashed right away and its money right away.
Leger says he just heard that Jordan has promised the city to cash those checks by the end of this weekend.
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