A Titusville man was just trying to do the right thing when he paid sales tax a store had failed to collect for a small purchase. But after paying the $1.50 tax, the state threatened the man with major fines and criminal charges.
Scott Anderson tackles repairs around the house himself. So he frequents ACE Hardware in Titusville ---but one trip in September still haunts him. Scott, a federal park employee, spent just 23 dollars for a few items----and later discovered the store failed to charge sales tax.
Scott thinks the store used a tax exempt account linked to his job. The former navy man who does things by the book---- was going to make it right.
"So I wrote out a check and mailed it to the department of revenue," said Scott.
He sent a check to the state for a dollar and 50 cents---with a full explanation. But the very next month---the agency demanded Scott pay a 50 dollar fine ---because it thought he was a business---that failed to file tax returns.
Scott sent another letter to Tallahasse clearly stating that he was paying sales tax as a customer after a minor mistake. He thought that was the end of it. But far from it---the next month the revenue department insisted Scott was a business that had to pay a 650 dollar fine---or face collections ---AND criminal charges.
"And possibly prosecute me under a third degree felony for stealing money from the state," said Scott.
The same week Scott called Action 9, a regional state tax office promised to clear things up.
(Todd) "You've the heard the expression no good deed goes unpunished. Is that you?" (Scott) "This is it a perfect example."
The department of revenue said it's reviewing procedures to determine how this could happen, and how Anderson's letters were ignored.
