Tax Lien: Didn't Live There, Didn't Work There

[topdotter]

I found out Monday that I have a tax lien listed on my credit report from the State of NY for $3000. I called them today and found out that it's for 2003, a year I neither worked nor lived in NY. (I did move there in March 2004). The department that has more information closed (as I was on hold, of course) but the clerk said it seems that the liability, lien, warrant is based on an audit of my Federal filing.

Before working directly with NY State to get this resolved, is there anything I should know? It seems I'll have to have it resolved with:

• NY Division of Taxation
• Kings County Court
• Credit Bureaus

Should I attack this in a particular order? Any potential blunders to avoid? I've read the stickied post but am still wondering. Finally, can I sue them for time, hassle, etc. when it becomes provable that this was negligence?



Thanks,
Sam

[chane]

As far as suing, you would have to talk to an attorney about that. An attorney may be able to help you with your other questions as well.

As far as it being on your credit report, unpaid tax liens can stay on for 15 years, so you may want to dispute it to see if you can get it to come off now. If it doesn't come off now, you can always dispute it later or have them remove it once it gets resolved.