If state and local officials aren't collecting taxes for a decade, it's a highly unusual and potentially problematic situation. Here's a breakdown of who you might want to contact, depending on your concerns:
- Your State's Attorney General: The Attorney General's office is responsible for enforcing state laws, including tax laws. They would be a crucial point of contact to inquire about the legality and implications of such a decision.
- Your State's Department of Revenue: This department is generally responsible for administering tax laws and collecting taxes. They can explain the specific laws and your rights as a taxpayer. Many departments also have a taxpayer advocate or ombudsman to help you with tax problems or complaints.
- The Taxpayer Advocate Service: This is an independent organization within the IRS, which can assist taxpayers with issues they haven't been able to resolve with the IRS directly. While primarily focused on federal taxes, they may be able to offer guidance or direct you to appropriate resources for state and local issues if they are impacting your federal tax situation.
- Your Elected Officials: Reaching out to your state and local representatives (state legislators, city council members, etc.) can bring attention to the issue and potentially prompt action or investigation.
- Local Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs): If the lack of tax collection is impacting low-income individuals, these clinics might be able to provide assistance, especially if there are related federal tax implications.
In summary, the best course of action is likely to start by contacting the relevant state and local tax agencies to understand the situation and then escalating to the State Attorney General or Taxpayer Advocate Service if necessary. Additionally, contacting elected officials can be beneficial in raising awareness and potentially spurring a resolution
