Where Is My State Tax Refund?

Ex spouse owes State tax,(We filed jointly ONCE) State took it out of MY refund- How come???? please explain?

• Someone please help me understand this; My husband and I have been separated for a while now- we filed a joint return in 2008 (for 2007's taxes) and that was the last time we ever filed together- I have since filed 'single' I didn't get my state (Georgia) tax refund last year; It was not a whole lot so I really don't follow up that much- I did call the department of revenue though; to find out if I owe? They said- 'Nope, you don't owe anything' So where did my money go? The rep gave some vague 'explanation' Now, 2010 (tax return for 2009) I was supposed to get a refund of $725 for the state- today I got a direct deposit with just $262!!!!! When I checked the mail, I had mail from the state tax office; explaining that they took the rest to pay liability accounts UNDER my Ex's name... There were were side by side- 'Credits' under my name and 'Liabilities' under his...with all my money GONE.. I am upset, its a wekeend- the office is closed; I don't know what to do! Hopefully someone here will give me an answer; How can this happen? I asked my ex and he said he paid whatever he owed the state last year- they shouldnt be taking anymore- Please help me figure out what the deal is here; also- I am afraid to ask because it might be wishful thinking (knowing how Georgia operates); will they refund MY money back? Let him take care of what he owes right? Should I have to deal with this every year?? Please help ease my mind!!! Oh and I WILL call them Monday, I am just desperately need an opinion on this today.. Thanks!!!

• Answer:

  If the year he owed for is the year when you filed joint, then that became your debt too. But if it had already been paid by him, unless that was VERY recently and the paperwork hadn't caught up yet, yours shouldn't have been taken. Good luck getting it all sorted out.