Helpful Hints when Calling, Writing or Making a Payment

HELPFUL HINTS WHEN CALLING

Always have your letter in front of you so you can refer to it if necessary. Always read the entire letter before calling.

Call the phone number on the letter you received. The receptionist will ask you for a unique identifier in the upper right hand corner of the letter so that you will be transferred to the proper person.

A phone call does not constitute a response to our letters. (See Hints When Writing)

If we are unavailable to take your call, please leave a detailed voice mail message. Include the following information:

• Your name and phone number
• Your federal identification number, SSN, CID Number or reference number
• Unique identifier in the upper right hand corner of the letter you received
• The tax for which you are being contacted
• The years of review
• Voluntary Disclosure file number, if available (e.g. 2012-01-01-01-ABC)
• Any other pertinent information

HELPFUL HINTS WHEN WRITING

• Always mail back the correspondence requested in the letter of inquiry along with a copy of the letter and the transmittal or form requested so that your information is routed to the appropriate person in a timely manner.
• Write your unique identifier or federal identification number on all your correspondence.
• Include your name and telephone number so we can contact you if we have any questions.
• A phone call does not constitute a response to our letter. A response requires mailing the documentation asked for in our letter, along with any necessary explanations.
• If you are mailing tax returns, always keep a copy for your records.
• Never mail original documents. We do not mail original documentation back.
• Be sure to submit documentation for all years of an inquiry, not just the years for which you have a liability. We need the documentation for verification purposes.
• All correspondence is reviewed in the order received. You may be able to check the status of your Income Tax response by visiting www.michigan.gov/taxes and selecting "Where's My Income Tax Refund?" You will then have several options available to you online.
• Failure to submit copies of all requested information by the due date on the letter will result in an adjustment. Adjustments may result in a reduction/denial of your refund or a bill for tax, interest and penalty.
• If a return envelope was mailed to you, use it when sending your response to us. If no return envelope was mailed, make sure you mail to the address identified in the letter you received to ensure your correspondence gets routed properly. Do not use our address for anything else you need to mail to another Treasury division, as each division has its own address and post office box.

HELPFUL HINTS WHEN MAKING A PAYMENT

• Make your check payable to the "State of Michigan".
• Always write your unique identifier or federal identification number on your check.
• Write the type of tax and the tax year(s) you are paying on the check: Michigan Business tax (MBT); Income tax (IIT); Sales, Use or Withholding tax. If your check happens to get separated from the returns or documentation you submitted, we know where to apply the money.
• If you are submitting multiple returns for one tax, you can write one check for the total.
• If you are paying several different types of taxes, it is best to write a separate check for each tax and mail them to the address indicated in the letter.
• Never send a check or money order without some form of documentation. This could cause delay in processing your payment.
• Never send cash.