slot jackpot not mine but IRS is after me for it

I remember a story where the casino employees paid jackpots(which never existed and nobody checked) to themselves. Anything is possible and I'm not even sure a signature by itself is good enough to dispute. Just saying that because the presumption is checks and balances were followed, but if they weren't, it'll be hard to prove wrong. The IRS doesn't want some mysterious stranger getting away with avoiding a W2G, they don't care I'd think because they have a real person to pin it on. That's my opinion, seems like doing it yourself isn't good enough and a real professional is needed. Identity theft is a burden and a nightmare because nobody cares about the victims, because people that aren't victims might try claiming to be victims. Good luck poster,

Quote: michael99000

Possibly that could occur.

I guess I just always assumed that manager in the cage had to see the ID himself, and maybe even use it to fill out the forms. I go mostly to Borgata and Sands , and in my experience they don’t do anything involving $15k cash without following the procedures very carefully.

I don’t know, it’s something that can vary from casino to casino, I assume, absent laws specifying procedure.

I’ve already mentioned one casino that only got one form of ID from me, so we have that.

The most recent W2-G I have, the fields are handwritten and they filled it out right there at the machine. They saw my social security card, but did not take it, though they did take and bring back my driver’s license. I’m not going to the length of doing the editing crap to get my SSN our if someone wants to call me on it, but I’m happy to text a picture to Wizard and he can verify if anybody so demands. There’s even a spot where the attendant signed, so I don’t even know that a manager ever saw it.

Anyway, the only thing the tax code seems to stipulate is that a person is to provide two forms of ID, one of the two must have a photograph and the casino is to provide the IRS with a copy of the W2-G. Certain fields must also be filled out which can slightly vary depending on the type of jackpot. Outside of those things specifically provided for by tax law, I guess anything goes procedurally.

Quote: Mission146

I don’t know, it’s something that can vary from casino to casino, I assume, absent laws specifying procedure.

I’ve already mentioned one casino that only got one form of ID from me, so we have that.

The most recent W2-G I have, the fields are handwritten and they filled it out right there at the machine. They saw my social security card, but did not take it, though they did take and bring back my driver’s license. I’m not going to the length of doing the editing crap to get my SSN our if someone wants to call me on it, but I’m happy to text a picture to Wizard and he can verify if anybody so demands. There’s even a spot where the attendant signed, so I don’t even know that a manager ever saw it.

Anyway, the only thing the tax code seems to stipulate is that a person is to provide two forms of ID, one of the two must have a photograph and the casino is to provide the IRS with a copy of the W2-G. Certain fields must also be filled out which can slightly vary depending on the type of jackpot. Outside of those things specifically provided for by tax law, I guess anything goes procedurally.

you recently hit a jackpot?

Quote: AxelWolf

you recently hit a jackpot?

Not recently, just my most recent one.

Some random notes from this quickly-ballooned thread.

There is no reason to think this person is a nathan-sock. Since they outed their own location to some extent in the discussion, I will say the IP info is consistent with what they say, and in no other way matches past nathan-tracks. I strongly discourage any further speculation on that point.

This (or any) new member is not allowed by forum software to post links, which would be required to show any picture (since we don't host them). So any demand for photo proof is not fair or possible.

Casinos ABSOLUTELY retain your SSN for hand-pays if you have ever had one with them. I can point to at least 10 casinos I've had repeat hand-pays with who did not need my SSN the second time. They just asked if this was my first jackpot, and when I said no, they just used my DL and had the SSN on the w2g. If it was a PC with multiple locations, even the first JP there they didn't need a SSN, because it was on my account from another in their chain.

Otoh, EVERY hand pay I've had, without exception, has required my DL and in 1 case, I gave my passport instead. No one accepted my players card as sufficient. Even a place where I hit 3 jackpots in 1 week and knew the slots payout person very well still had to take my ID to the cage each time.

None of them required me to prove my SSN was valid. None. I gave them a number, they used it. So my suspicion of what most likely happened has something to do with the crook (or with a clerical error) putting terry's social on someone else's w2g.

The casinos don't send the individual w2g's to the IRS. They retain a copy, but they send a bulk report at the end of the year with all the winners and the amounts. This is likely where terry's SSN got associated (speculation!). If they reported the money by SSN and amount, and Terry had EVER had a previous JP (in 20 years playing there, I hope he did), the computer may have put his name with the SSN they had from that JP.

As to the IRS. Terry absolutely must lodge a protest with them on the basis of it not being his jackpot. It's good that he is researching his receipts to prove he was elsewhere, and I hope he finds something that will show it. But there are time limits on such things, and his first move needs to be that phone call, smartly followed by a certified letter, stating that he does not owe these taxes.

The IRS itself is required to help you understand the steps needed, provide form numbers, and give you deadline information so you don't lose your rights. The IRS also should be going back to the casino for verification of how this payout was processed, once you have filed your protest, rather than you having to pursue it. If an IRS serviceperson gives you any less help than complete cooperation, ask for their supervisor, and keep going up the line until you have a complete understanding of what to do, and what the IRS will do to verify on their side.

Good luck, and I'm sure we would like to hear updates.

Hello and thanks for all the input. I was out for the day and just returned home a few moments ago. You folks have given me a lot to think about. First, it seems trying to get anything with a signature from the IRS is futile since they only get an electronic notification of the jackpot. I guess following up again and with more detail with the Casino for now is the way to go. I guess if they had surveillance footage from a few years ago that would help and hopefully they can locate a signed copy of the w2g. If none of this can be found I imagine just simply tell the IRS to prove it is mine and if they can`t either drop it or I will go to tax court. Imagine somewhere along the line they will have to prove it is mine. Just as an aside. This Casino takes photos of you identification when you set up the players club. Through the years when I have hit a jackpot they always simply took my card and came back with the w2g and had me sign it. And yes I have left my players card in a machine a few times through the years.

When I say the IRS went after me what I mean is about a week ago I got a notice from them for a 5k+tax bill and if you can believe it a 1k charge for seriously under reporting taxes and an additional interest charge of 427 dollars. Man this is expensive. Plus telling me I have 30 days to pay or dispute or they take other action. I still have a few weeks to work this but it is stressful and I hope the Casino and IRS do not throw me under the bridge and simply say well shit happens and somebody has to pay.

This may very well end up well who really knows, and thanks again and any additional input would be appreciated.

Quote: AxelWolf

WTF!!!!... Why was that snarky? I was agreeing with you that mistakes are made in the casino because casino employees are capable of being lazy/negligent, and much more.

There was absolutely ZERO attempt from me to be snarky, joking or negative in any way shape or form, it was the opposite of that. Perhaps it wasn't well written by me, but even then, I can't see how one could think there was snark in that directed towards you.


Paranoid much????

No intention of insulting you Axel, I clearly did not understand whatever the heck you posted and I thought you were mocking me for claiming something that supported the OP.

Quote: terrysm74062186

Hello and thanks for all the input. I was out for the day and just returned home a few moments ago. You folks have given me a lot to think about. First, it seems trying to get anything with a signature from the IRS is futile since they only get an electronic notification of the jackpot. I guess following up again and with more detail with the Casino for now is the way to go. I guess if they had surveillance footage from a few years ago that would help and hopefully they can locate a signed copy of the w2g. If none of this can be found I imagine just simply tell the IRS to prove it is mine and if they can`t either drop it or I will go to tax court. Imagine somewhere along the line they will have to prove it is mine. Just as an aside. This Casino takes photos of you identification when you set up the players club. Through the years when I have hit a jackpot they always simply took my card and came back with the w2g and had me sign it. And yes I have left my players card in a machine a few times through the years.

When I say the IRS went after me what I mean is about a week ago I got a notice from them for a 5k+tax bill and if you can believe it a 1k charge for seriously under reporting taxes and an additional interest charge of 427 dollars. Man this is expensive. Plus telling me I have 30 days to pay or dispute or they take other action. I still have a few weeks to work this but it is stressful and I hope the Casino and IRS do not throw me under the bridge and simply say well shit happens and somebody has to pay.

This may very well end up well who really knows, and thanks again and any additional input would be appreciated.

So if the irs is giving you 30 days to dispute the assessment isnt that the answer?

They must give you the number or paperwork to file for the dispute.

I would say thats the first move

My only point of contention with BBB’s post is the notion that the casinos do not file form W2-G with the IRS. From the IRS.gov page I linked in my Page 3 post:

Quote:

Specific Instructions for Form W-2G

File Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings, to report gambling winnings and any federal income tax withheld on those winnings. The requirements for reporting and withholding depend on the type of gambling, the amount of the gambling winnings, and generally the ratio of the winnings to the wager. File Form W-2G with the IRS. You must provide a statement to the winner (Copies B and C of Form W-2G).

So, it says that the casino is to file the actual form with the IRS and provide a statement to the winner. Maybe in practice they just submit some sort of list, but the letter of the IRS tax code says they are to file the form.

There is also this:

Quote:

Statements to Winners

If you are required to file Form W-2G, you also must provide a statement to the winner. For information about the requirement to furnish a statement to the winner, see part M in the 2019 General Instructions for Certain Information Returns. You may furnish Copies B and C of Form W-2G to the winner.

So, it would seem the casino is supposed to be required to file the actual form. I won’t quote every single one, but there are other sections that state they are to file form W2-G with the IRS.

I was going to jump the gun and assume that this happened in Nevada, but wherever it happened there must be some gaming commission like authority that oversees this casino. As long as you couch your complaint in terms of some kind of gaming dispute, that authority will have to investigate the matter and this will save you a lot of time and effort that you'd have to expend yourself otherwise.

If this happened in Las Vegas, I'd file with the NV Gaming Control Board in Vegas, stating that my identity was mis-used for a $15,000. slots payout in 2017, and based on my investigation so far it appears that the casino paid out the sum under my social security number without properly identifying the recipient, such that I received a W-2G for a payout I never received. Based on my investigation so far it appears that the casino did not ask for identification to identity properly the recipient who was mis-using my identity. Based on my past observations, I believe that this casino routinely makes payouts and issues W-2Gs based solely on a player card that the winner might be holding, without further verifying identity, and I believe that this is what happened here - that the casino made the payout and issued the W-2G based solely on a player card I had lost or misplaced in the casino, that someone (not me) presented.

If I wanted to add some real oomph to my complaint, I'd file a police report alleging the same and reference it in my Gaming Control Board complaint.

I'd also file a claim with my homeowner's insurance, which covers identity fraud losses - something else to consider. If you have any kind of insurance that might cover this sort of thing, definitely file, because they might run with it too, and investigate the casino, to avoid being the ones holding the bag for the loss payout. To get any kind of insurance action you will need to file a police report.

Good luck, and now that you started this thread, please keep us posted.

Realistically, the police won't investigate this very far because the evidence is gone, but the gaming commission might because it gets into allegations of improper gaming practices.

It goes without saying that you're going to tell the IRS that this was a mistake, when you are audited or questioned about the "missing" reported income, but the above will help to back up your story and eliminate possibly the problem for you.

Quote: Mission146

So, it would seem the casino is supposed to be required to file the actual form. I won’t quote every single one, but there are other sections that state they are to file form W2-G with the IRS.

I don't know of any casinos that still file paper W2G's with the IRS. The IRS only wants the information submitted electronically through their FIRE system. https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/filing-information-returns-electronically-fire

I’ve hit hundreds of jackpots and was asked for ID on all of them. I think the IRS will find your claim dubious.

Quote: DRich

I don't know of any casinos that still file paper W2G's with the IRS. The IRS only wants the information submitted electronically through their FIRE system. https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/filing-information-returns-electronically-fire

That's pretty interesting. The letter of the tax code says that the Form W2-G is to be filed, so I wasn't really meaning to argue what happens in practice.

Here's a problem: If the casino is never required to submit to the IRS a signed form, the casino (from what I can tell) is not required to maintain the signed form for any prescribed length of time, then can't they essentially attribute jackpots to whomever they want to? It seems like nobody is required to ever produce a signed copy of the W2-G again.

With that, it's no wonder that a casino would be playing loosey-goosey with identity verification because it doesn't seem like anybody ever has to be able to prove anything to begin with. If nothing else, I'm surprised this is the first time that something like this has been brought up on this forum.

This is rife for the potential for abuse and collusion. A player could just duck taxes anytime he wants to by using some other players club card and attributing the tax obligation to the owner of that card while collecting the money, if they are this losse with things.

Personally, I would cite the tax code to the IRS that says they are supposed to have a copy of the form. I would demand they produce a copy of the signed form. I would demand the casino produce a copy of the signed form. At that point, I would present the evidence that you were out of town AND that neither IRS nor casino can present the signed form and argue that this is because you did not hit the jackpot.

A casino in SoCal I once gave players card but no ID. Wasn’t my first jackpot there but was first of the day. I’m assuming that wasn’t normal procedure, haven’t hit one there since to compare.

Quote: Wizard

I’ve hit hundreds of jackpots and was asked for ID on all of them. I think the IRS will find your claim dubious.

What difference does it make if neither the IRS nor the casino can produce a signed copy of the W2-G? Whether the IRS finds the claim dubious or not, nobody can prove that the person accepted the jackpot or took responsibility for the tax liability thereof.

Quote: Mission146

Here's a problem: If the casino is never required to submit to the IRS a signed form, the casino (from what I can tell) is not required to maintain the signed form for any prescribed length of time, then can't they essentially attribute jackpots to whomever they want to? It seems like nobody is required to ever produce a signed copy of the W2-G again.

I think the casino will need to supply proof to the IRS now that it is being disputed. Our company keeps all paper W2G's for at least 5 years.

Quote: DRich

I think the casino will need to supply proof to the IRS now that it is being disputed. Our company keeps all paper W2G's for at least 5 years.

After the IRS finds that no proof can be provided by the casino, I'd sue the casino's ass in small claims for the time and any costs expended upon this, if I were the OP. Probably get 86'ed, but it seems it would be a slam dunk win of a case...and that's assuming the casino even bothered to appear in small claims, otherwise a default judgment in Plaintiff's favor anyway if the casino fails to appear and defend.

The way to go is as I outlined above, by filing a complaint with some kind of gaming commission, and with a police report, also looking into whether any kind of identity fraud insurance such as via homeowner's insurance, is available.

Otherwise, anyone could just say two years after the fact on some slot machine payoff "it wasn't me." So telling the casino "prove it" is not enough. He has to back all this up with willingness to file complaints, including police reports.

OP is an older gentleman who says he has some memory issues, so I could understand his not keeping close track of his player account, but these days after each trip I am logging into my player accounts to see how much they have me down for winning. I play table games so I am not worried about any tax reporting, but still I keep close tabs on everything.

Even over a decade ago when they had no online access to player accounts still I'd have my host or someone in the back office print a win / loss statement for me every now and then, especially after a big win.

I appreciate what you are saying, MDawg, but I don't see how the homeowner's insurance becomes relevant unless and until an actual monetary loss has occurred. Doesn't the underlying matter have to be resolved prior to an individual even knowing what they would be filing a claim for?

I do understand the suggestion of going to gaming as well as filing a police report. As far as the tax liability is concerned, I still believe that either the IRS or the casino has to prove such a liability exists, and if they can't, then there is no such liability.

Well I think the way the identity fraud riders work with insurance policies is by way of indemnification - they step in to defend based on a claim.

On a standard policy: For example you own a home, someone trips on the property, he sues you. You notify your homeowner's policy and they step in to defend you.

In this case the IRS is making a claim against the guy, and he is claiming it is due to identity fraud. Same as if he found out that someone opened a credit card account in his name, and a creditor was now trying to collect.

Again, as far as insurance, will be applicable only if he has some kind of identity fraud rider on his homeowner's policy, or if he has some separate insurance that covers identity fraud.

Just a few details that might affect the answers here....
1. Do you ever give your card to another individual to have him play but you accumulate the comps?
2. Did you have any other jackpots that year that you had losses to offset?
3. I assume by the way this discussion has gone, that the IRS did NOT send you a copy of the W2G.

Never having won a jackpot of that magnitude, does the casino in any way recognize it, meaning, say, an email to you congratulating you? Or a note saying 'spend your jackpot at our restaurant and get 20% off'! Or are they all just "pay the money, fill out the papers" only type events?

For those here that get 'win-loss' statements from casinos, would you notice an extra $15k in winnings?

Quote: SOOPOO

For those here that get 'win-loss' statements from casinos, would you notice an extra $15k in winnings?

I guess that would really depend on to what level one gambles. Even then, win/loss statements are often way off the mark, for a wide variety of reasons.

Thanks for the help. I have never given my player`s card to anyone. Yes I had several jackpots that year, all in the under 2000.00 range. Since this jackpot was not mine I did not receive any recognition of this. A few years ago I hit for about 5000 and they gave me a steak meal. The jackpot in question was hit 2.4 years ago and I just got off the phone with the Casino and they are saying they cannot find the w2g in question. I should have asked them how far back they keep them. I will keep digging and let you folks know. Can`t say
I have had any real costs up to now except heartburn and you know the letter I received from the IRS was pretty pissy and hateful. And really threatening imagine they will have a hissy fit when I tell them what happened, and the IRS has not sent me a w2g. Would have thought they would send something with their letter but that may suggest all they have is electronic records.

Check this site out (below), and report identity theft by filing the Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit and calling the IRS at the given number.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayer-guide-to-identity-theft

If you submit a "Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit (PDF)" then everyone you talk to at the IRS will see that form in your folder on their computers and have to follow procedures. Without that Identity Theft Affadavit, you won't have a chance.

Quote: terrysm74062186

Thanks for the help. I have never given my player`s card to anyone. Yes I had several jackpots that year, all in the under 2000.00 range. Since this jackpot was not mine I did not receive any recognition of this. A few years ago I hit for about 5000 and they gave me a steak meal. The jackpot in question was hit 2.4 years ago and I just got off the phone with the Casino and they are saying they cannot find the w2g in question. I should have asked them how far back they keep them. I will keep digging and let you folks know. Can`t say
I have had any real costs up to now except heartburn and you know the letter I received from the IRS was pretty pissy and hateful. And really threatening imagine they will have a hissy fit when I tell them what happened, and the IRS has not sent me a w2g. Would have thought they would send something with their letter but that may suggest all they have is electronic records.

Terry,

The letter that was sent was a form letter, with your details inserted. I'm sure it upset you, and I'm sure it was not written in polite terms. However, you must get past sounding defensive with them, and be as matter-of-fact as possible that it is some kind of error. The better you can concentrate on it being an error, the more helpful they will be in backtracking and fixing it.

You have to figure that 10s of thousands, if not more, of those letters went out for that year, to people who did not correctly report all their earnings. They're a collection agency, and stern tactics work with a lot of people who just ducked their responsibility. The IRS MUST help you resolve this, once you file a protest. Let them be helpful by not antagonizing them.

I think the casino is going to have a problem with the IRS if they really haven't retained ANY w2g's from 2017. That's only 1 tax year ago, and audits can go back 3 years. If they threw out their copies of that recent a filing, they are likely not in compliance.

OTOH, if they DO have the signed records from that year, but can't find YOURS, that makes my theory of it being under another name seem more likely. They probably file them by name since the player card number doesn't go on them. If so, the IRS may require them to examine all their records to see if the SSN is on another customer's stored w2g.

You said they "don't have it", but there's a difference between not having ANY for you, ANY for anybody, and others for you but not THAT one for 15k. Can you clarify that?

Actually they do have all of them other than the one I am questioning. What is odd though is none of them have signatures. All are simply blank where you would expect to see the signature. The rest of the document is correct. Maybe they have a separate file where those are kept and the person looking did not know where to look. Will keep working this.

By the way I live in Reno and our weather here is not too hot, actually weather wise it has been a mild year. Friend in Phoenix said their weather has not been that hot either. How are you folks doing?

I skipped pages 3-7, so I may have missed something, but let’s not dismiss the possibility that this might be some sort of scam being played on the OP. Don’t call the phone number on the letter, call the IRS’ 800 number.

Quote: Mosca

I skipped pages 3-7, so I may have missed something, but let’s not dismiss the possibility that this might be some sort of scam being played on the OP. Don’t call the phone number on the letter, call the IRS’ 800 number.

How would they know he was a gambler getting jackpots in Reno? Unless somebody hacked their records and sold them to some scam outfit.

Quote: AxelWolf

How would they know he was a gambler getting jackpots in Reno? Unless somebody hacked their records and sold them to some scam outfit.

I don’t know, but when you start allowing for the many things that had to happen for the original post to be true (not saying it isn’t), it becomes about equally possible.

How do the casinos that rely on undocumented immigrants make it go away when jackpots happen? I'm under the impression they pay without id, is this wrong?

Quote: onenickelmiracle

How do the casinos that rely on undocumented immigrants make it go away when jackpots happen? I'm under the impression they pay without id, is this wrong?

1.) I don't know how big a segment of the market undocumented immigrants are. I'd be surprised if any casinos are, "Relying," on them.

2.) Illegal/Undocumented immigrants who do not qualify for a social security number could have applied for and received an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) which, for W2-G purposes, is just as good as a social security number.

3.) They might have someone else sign for it, at least at those casinos that aren't too strict about it has to be the person who hit the button. There's actually a supplemental tax form (Form 5754) where a hit jackpot can go to someone else completely above board and all in accordance with the tax code, as well as one for splitting jackpots (actually, that's also 5754), but I assume that the casino is not required to offer those. I'd be surprised if some casino employees even know that with the policy of quite a few houses being it has to be whoever hit the button.

Most illegal immigrants that I have run across have an ID. It is probably not their name but a casino wouldn't know that. They just then give a made up SSN number and go on their way.

OT, but a friend of mine was just telling me about a prospective employee they were about to hire at his company, but his name and SSN matched up with someone who was already working there for over 5 years. After questioning them both, they both admitted to buying the fraudulent id's/birth cert's etc. He said he was sad to see the employee who's been working there get fired, as he was one of their best workers.

dup post, sry.

Went to have breakfast at the Casino this morning and spoke with two folks in the slot area. One told me they do not keep signed copies and those are sent to the IRS. Another told me they do keep signed copies and they send information electronically to the IRS. I called the IRS folks and they said they are not sure and will have to get back to me.

Quote: terrysm74062186

Went to have breakfast at the Casino this morning and spoke with two folks in the slot area. One told me they do not keep signed copies and those are sent to the IRS. Another told me they do keep signed copies and they send information electronically to the IRS. I called the IRS folks and they said they are not sure and will have to get back to me.

Sounds like you're off to a good start. As you found, when it comes to casino employees, the number of different answers to a question you will get is often close or equal to the number of employees you ask.

Quote: Mosca

I skipped pages 3-7, so I may have missed something, but let’s not dismiss the possibility that this might be some sort of scam being played on the OP. Don’t call the phone number on the letter, call the IRS’ 800 number.

I said it before in this thread and I’ll say it again you are being scammed irs letters are not threatening because this is peanuts to them. The trail doesn’t add up. The letter would t be threat filled or even any tone. It would simply tell you what you owe. The only threatening IRS things I’ve ever encountered were fake irs Indian phone calls.

IRS letters tend to list all of the potential ramifications of the tax obligation not being paid, including the potential criminal liabilities, so I assume that is what the OP is referring to.

Quote: onenickelmiracle

How do the casinos that rely on undocumented immigrants make it go away when jackpots happen? I'm under the impression they pay without id, is this wrong?

Like Mission says, I dont see casinos "relying" on undocumented immigrants.

An illegal could have legit ID from the country he left. A Honduran for example could still have his Honduran ID (I assume every country has some form of ID requirements) even if he snuck over into the US.

It would be up to the casino to except a foreign ID. I would imagine a casino could demand the passport.

For that matter, an illegal may even have a valid passport. Having a passport does not guarantee entry and someone may have one while still living here illegally. And there are also those who came legally and have overstayed their visa.

If an ID is from out of the country, full federal tax is removed automatically

I am a little new to all of this and I did check the letter it is real. It is just when they say greetings we need 6000.00 within thirty days and by the way 1500 of it is penalties and interest and by the way if you don`t respond within 30 days we move to collection, guess the whole tone turned me off. I guess I would have expected something like a letter simply saying hey we see a problem here you have thirty days to work with this and not even mention the 1500 till we get in the discussion a bit more. Oh well I am going to fight this all the way to tax court because I know it is not mine and somewhere along the way this will shake out. Thanks for the help and I will keep you folks updating. Guess it is a fascinating thing to have happen at 70 when I have religiously paid my takes for over 50 years and in most years did not even itemize. It is what it is.

Quote: terrysm74062186

I am a little new to all of this and I did check the letter it is real. It is just when they say greetings we need 6000.00 within thirty days and by the way 1500 of it is penalties and interest and by the way if you don`t respond within 30 days we move to collection, guess the whole tone turned me off. I guess I would have expected something like a letter simply saying hey we see a problem here you have thirty days to work with this and not even mention the 1500 till we get in the discussion a bit more. Oh well I am going to fight this all the way to tax court because I know it is not mine and somewhere along the way this will shake out. Thanks for the help and I will keep you folks updating. Guess it is a fascinating thing to have happen at 70 when I have religiously paid my takes for over 50 years and in most years did not even itemize. It is what it is.

Your clean record will work in your favor while resolving this. They DO look at your overall taxpaying record when evaluating things like this. Just stay cool and go thru each step as you reach it.

Quote: heatmap

I said it before in this thread and I’ll say it again you are being scammed irs letters are not threatening because this is peanuts to them. The trail doesn’t add up. The letter would t be threat filled or even any tone. It would simply tell you what you owe. The only threatening IRS things I’ve ever encountered were fake irs Indian phone calls.

heatmap, I am one of your fans. I usually enjoy your posts, and I am glad that someone else in thsi forum is skeptical about whether game integrity is real or an illusion. Having said that, I think you have gone off the rails a bit in terms of your negative statements about OP. He is a brand-new forum member, and he has answered questions about his situation in a reasonable tone and with reasonable information. Can I ask you to re-consider whether terrysm74062186 is really as worthy of your hostility as, say, an automatic shuffler capable of dealing cards in "a pre-determined sequence?"

BTW, whenever I have received a letter from the IRS the tone has always been "dark" or "threatening" or "imperial" or whatever you want to call it (I refer to them as "Bend Over! We're About to F### You" letters). They definitely emphasize worst-case scenarios in their letters to tax-payers as a way to panic them into responding and providing information to get a resolution that is better than the worst case. So, I think terrysm74062186 is very credible about the letter he has received.

If the IRS wants your attention, they can simply freeze your bank accounts, credit cards, checkbook, ect. I don't recall any IRS letter giving specific numbers, just implied threats to contact them.

I thought I read a story somewhere where an illegal immigrant didn't get paid in a California Indian Reservation Casino.

Quote: AxelWolf

I thought I read a story somewhere where an illegal immigrant didn't get paid in a California Indian Reservation Casino.

He must not have a picture ID or he didn't want to show it for his jackpot.

Quote: DRich

He must not have a picture ID or he didn't want to show it for his jackpot.

when I get some time I'll look it up. I remember it was a she, but I don't remember the exact circumstances surrounding it, I thought it had something to do with the fact that they were illegal. Perhaps they owed money or some b******* like that. I just know it didn't have anything to do with child support. If I recall correctly it was posted on this forum somewhere.

I haven't read this entire thread, but I've had 10s of thousands of W2Gs so that makes me more experienced than some of the posters. I've seen several posts that are spot on and several that should be ignored.

The post by DRich on July 27 at 10:20 a.m. was spot on. Follow that. Use his language word for word.

The post someone saying you should ignore it and you'll die first and then it will not be a problem should be ignored. It was likely intended to be facetious and humorous, but that doesn't always translate well in forums.

DO NOT IGNORE THIS. It will not disappear by itself.


The post that said several slot attendants say "you're in the system, aren't you" and when you say yes, they will take all of the information from the last W2G of the person whose card was in was very accurate. THAT'S VERY COMMON, even if the slot attendant doesn't recognize you. Whatever the law says about what must be done, many casinos take shortcuts. The Atlantis, by far, isn't the only one.

The fact that the casino doesn't have surveillance tapes going back two years is likely accurate. Some save them electronically "forever", but the ones that use tapes write over them after a few weeks or months.

The post that said you should learn everything about taxes first should be ignored. You're not a tax specialist. You're a senior citizen facing a serious problem, but you don't want to go to school for several years to solve the problem.

When you send the IRS a letter like DRich proposed, keep a copy of it. If they don't accept that, THEN is the time to see an attorney. The IRS will probably accept your explanation, and then the problem will disappear.

I don't know what the regulations is about how long a casino must keep a copy of a signed W2G. the information they send to the IRS is electronic and doesn't include your signature.

Finally, even if the OP is scamming the group (which I doubt), this is a problem that COULD happen. And if you play slots/vp in a casino, you should be aware of what to do about it. That makes this a worthy topic of discussion.

As I said, I skipped some of the thread. But I added what I could. Hope it helps.

Quote: billryan

If the IRS wants your attention, they can simply freeze your bank accounts, credit cards, checkbook, ect. I don't recall any IRS letter giving specific numbers, just implied threats to contact them.

I once received a letter from the IRS stating that they calculated that I owed more than $50,000 in taxes and penalties because I had neglected to file some damn form. Once I filed the form (which I did immediately) I owed nothing and instead received more than $2,000 as a refund for that tax year. So, YES, the IRS does quote actual "calculated amounts" that you owe them which have the purpose of serving to motivate you to file the correct information ASAP.

Quote: gordonm888

I once received a letter from the IRS stating that they calculated that I owed more than $50,000 in taxes and penalties because I had neglected to file some damn form. Once I filed the form (which I did immediately) I owed nothing and instead received more than $2,000 as a refund for that tax year. So, YES, the IRS does quote actual "calculated amounts" that you owe them which have the purpose of serving to motivate you to file the correct information ASAP.

Yeah the IRS will readily put numbers in letters.

Quote: BobDancer

Finally, even if the OP is scamming the group (which I doubt), this is a problem that COULD happen. And if you play slots/vp in a casino, you should be aware of what to do about it. That makes this a worthy topic of discussion.

As I said, I skipped some of the thread. But I added what I could. Hope it helps.

I don’t think he is scamming. All I think is that he should ensure that he himself isn’t being scammed, by calling the IRS number that isn’t on the document and verifying the contents of the letter.