Not Living in the US Any More

by Ann
(South America)

Greetings, and thanks for your website!

I've just received a letter from an attorney representing the Attorney General for the State of xxx, saying that I owe ~$1500 in income tax to that state, plus ~$700 in interest and fees.

I lived in that state in 2002-2004 but I have never worked there and as far as I know I shouldn't owe any income taxes there. I haven't set foot in that state since April 2004. The letter has no information about why I supposedly owe the money or how it was calculated.

According to the letter, I have 30 days to dispute the debt and request validation documentation. From internet research, I've gathered that I should definitely do this in writing, by certified mail with return receipt requested.

So far, pretty mundane. Here's the complication: I moved to South America in 2006. The letter came to the PO box of a friend of mine in Texas, that I occasionally use for a US mailing address, and he e-mailed me a scan of the letter.

So when I mail my dispute letter, I'm wondering if I should have it mailed from the US, or if I should give them my new address in South America. Am I obligated to tell them my current address? Does it look bad to be living in SA? Is there a disadvantage (or perhaps even an advantage?) to telling them I am living in SA now?

It's tempting to just ignore the letter, but I'd really like to stay in compliance tax-wise, as well as maintain my credit rating in the US, which is spotless. I would just pay the debt, except I honestly don't think I owe anything.

Thanks for any perspective you can offer.