Declared Dead by IRS for 29 Years, Living Man Finally ‘Resurrected’
Original Article by Karen Bleier, May 10, 2017, 4:38 PM (CBS/AP)
At just four years old, a Minnesota man was falsely declared dead by the IRS. Now, 29 years later and with the help of his state senator, the IRS finally recognizes that Adam Ronning is very much alive.
“This was an absurd situation,” the senator helping Ronning rectify his status with the IRS said in a statement. “This constituent was declared dead by the government when he wasn’t.”
According to a “60 Minutes” investigation in 2015, approximately 9,000 living americans are declared dead each year. This represents an error rate of .3% of new names added to the government’s “Death Master Sheet”.
Despite being dead in the eyes of the IRS, Ronning paid taxes his entire adult life. This lead to him receiving only half or none of his returns since 2009. According to Ronning, the government owes him approximately $20,000 in tax refunds.
“It’s insulting, it’s shocking, it’s frustrating,” Ronning said.
A spokesperson for his state senator said such cases as this are rare and they will continue to work to make sure he gets the refunds he is owed.
If something doesn’t sound or feel right when dealing with the IRS, you should always seek advice from an experienced tax attorney or licensed professional. Check out our post here to learn how to find an experienced tax attorney you can trust. As always, the tax attorneys and licensed professionals at Boxelder Consulting are here to help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
