Crime Doesn't Pay

    Yesterday we received an official-looking letter from New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.  That can't be good news, I thought, as with trembling hands I slit open the envelope.  My fears were confirmed.  It was for taxes due.  For the tax year 2012.  That was the year I had to file and claim for an estate as well as ourselves.  I did my best, but the IRS found I owed slightly more than I'd paid. I didn't even try to figure out where the discrepancy was, just paid the additional amount, no problem.
   But the New York State Taxation Department never rests and is not to be denied.  They received notification that the IRS had adjusted our 2012 return, thereby affecting the amount we owe to NYS.  Therefore, they recomputed our NY tax to include the federal changes.  The Tax amount of the adjusted amount owed is $40.00 + $8.99 Interest.
   Our choices are to pay, which speaks for itself;  to disagree, for which there is a form and which must happen by Jan. 18, or else subject to collection actions; or to not respond, which will result in additional interest and additional penalties.
    Since the letter points out that there is no time limit when NYS may send a bill for additional tax in such cases, I think we'll just go ahead and pay.  We have until January 16, so I'm confident I can come up with the $48.99 by then.