My experience at Glendale AZ Tax Office

Your Name (Can be Anonymous): Anonymous
Your Experience: I encountered the most condescending “human being” I think I have ever met in my life at the 7350 W Camino San Xavier location in Glendale.

I understand I have made some serious financial mistakes and taken chances to pursue my passion.  I am working to try to correct my errors.

I am on a payment plan and in the last month have recently had to make a decision of whether to keep my gas / utilities on or pay my installment.  I chose to keep my utilities and roof over my head.  I do not have any spouse or anyone else who can pick up the slack, it is just me supporting myself and running a business.

I went in to ask about my installment agreement.  The woman I saw, (I couldn’t see her name displayed anywhere) but I know she was an older woman who apparently smokes Marlboro light cigarettes. (they are sitting out on her desk) Otherwise, I would have given you her name.

She looked at my record and right away became combative with me. “You always seem to owe, what’s your problem?!”

I am not going to go into my life history or why I had to make sacrifices but I didn’t believe that was any of her business to ask me what my problem was.  Also, she saw that I used my 401k funds and told me, “the IRS isn’t here to fund your business”.
My 401k that I worked hard for the last 8 years to get.  I used it to fund my American dream – to start a business.

Why such adversarial treatment?  I went in there to make a partial payment of my installment agreement.  I am not attempting to evade my responsibilities.  I work hard and own a business that is currently running into financial difficulties due to some recent personal losses of which I have had no control over.  This woman had zero compassion.

She stated with admonishment, “You are in default and not in compliance, you should be getting a nasty letter from us and we will levy your bank accounts and garnish your wages”.  I was only 6 days late in making my installment payment and I went in to see if I would be able to work something out.  I decided to go in because I have spent over 90-minutes waiting on the phone with the IRS.  This would have been easier.

I may not be in the right with my lateness in making my monthly payment, but I am not trying to get away with anything.  I am trying my best to make the payments.  Unfortunately, I have suffered some unforeseen setbacks that have resulted in my late payment.  I went in the office to explain that I have secured a lucrative job and plan on making the payments (even would be able to pay more) going forward.  My job starts in a couple of weeks.

I would also like to point out this woman was loud.  Although there is a divider for some “privacy”, I was able to hear her conversation with the person before me so I am certain at the way she was admonishing me, others were able to hear her when it was my turn.

I left the office feeling terrified, embarrassed and dehumanized.  I have accomplished a lot in my life.  In my business, I have helped many others with their quality of life.  I was taken aback by such a lack of empathy and compassion.

I am not just sitting around collecting money from the government.  I have been a hard working citizen since I was 14 years old.  I work hard in my business and sometimes, in this economy, it just isn’t enough.

Is this how the IRS wants to be represented?

I certainly hope there will be recourse and this person at least disciplined.  I understand we all have to pay our taxes and have no choice in the matter, but that doesn’t give anyone any right or latitude to treat individuals in this manner.  I felt this was way out of line.

I hope something is done about this and this survey doesn’t just disappear into the IRS “bit bucket”.
Yours Truly,
A very upset taxpayer.

Your Tax Office City: Glendale
Your Tax Office State: Arizona
Your Wait Time: Approximately 25 minutes

Time: May 5, 2015 at 1:13 am