Idiocracy...No Longer Fiction
So, I inherited a pile of dough when my dad passed last year. Now the bank won't give me the 1099-INT for my taxes because "that's private information". I pointed out that they already gave me the money (and he's dead). Doesn't matter. Nope...private information.
Then, we're doing power of attorney for my mother-in-law. We have everything the POA requires but one of her banks has a teller chief who said the letters from two doctors diagnosing dementia need to be notarized. Doesn't say that anywhere. Then, she says, "She needs to be able to identify all of her accounts without you coaching her. And, she needs to be incoherent." I point out that both things can't occur at the same time and the POA doesn't say anything like that. Blank stare from the lady at the bank. So, I've got to schedule a meeting with the bank management to get it taken care of. I used to be insulted when people treated me like a criminal even though I've never even had a speeding ticket. Not anymore. I expect it. It is as though the mindset is weaved into our culture. "I'm gonna make up some rules to stymie you because I want to."
I honestly think people are getting more and more stupid in America. People can't do the most basic things. Can't reason their way out of a wet paper bag. What in the hell happened? My gawd...They're all just a bunch of fat livestock, ready for the slaughterhouse...
Then, we're doing power of attorney for my mother-in-law. We have everything the POA requires but one of her banks has a teller chief who said the letters from two doctors diagnosing dementia need to be notarized. Doesn't say that anywhere. Then, she says, "She needs to be able to identify all of her accounts without you coaching her. And, she needs to be incoherent." I point out that both things can't occur at the same time and the POA doesn't say anything like that. Blank stare from the lady at the bank. So, I've got to schedule a meeting with the bank management to get it taken care of. I used to be insulted when people treated me like a criminal even though I've never even had a speeding ticket. Not anymore. I expect it. It is as though the mindset is weaved into our culture. "I'm gonna make up some rules to stymie you because I want to."
I honestly think people are getting more and more stupid in America. People can't do the most basic things. Can't reason their way out of a wet paper bag. What in the hell happened? My gawd...They're all just a bunch of fat livestock, ready for the slaughterhouse...
When the government decided to give taxpayers a break and let the date for filing slide to July of 2020, apparently the IRS employees decided not to start processing any returns until after July. Anyway, in October I get a letter from the IRS saying they're mystified that I filed a joint return when my wife was dead. I responded, explaining to them that she passed away in 2020, which meant she was alive in 2019. I got no response to that letter, and got another one a month later, of a different form, with no rational way to indicate what I had told them earlier, and directing me not to respond in any way but to fill out the form. I sent them her death certificate. I've gotten no response from them, nor have I received the refund for 2019 I was due.
Under IRS rules, I can still file a joint return for 2020, as I'm a qualified widower. However, I'm betting that because someone couldn't comprehend their own rules last year, that I will eventually face charges of tax evasion. The only positive outcome there is that I will eventually get to talk to a live human being, and am prepared to do that with a lawyer in tow.
Regarding the information, A POA should be adequate for any information you want. I would get an attorney (I get these for free from in-laws) instructing the bank to comply, or be met with a court order and civil charges.
It is annoying the world has come to this, but refreshing to squash it when it does. I had a related issue with a propane provider, and a letter like this promoted immediate action.
free actually means I fix their computers, plumbing, house and sometimes cars.
Kind of curious who they DID give the 1099-INT to....they had to give it to somebody. When my ex died, my son asked me to do his taxes for the year he died and the next year, after all was settled. He didn't have any trouble getting the documents he needed to pass on to me. Not sure whether he had a POA or something else, or if the bank was just a little less stupid. I mean, we're talking Chase, not y our local mom-and-pop banking shop. I figured all major banks had enough sense to at least do that. Looks like I was wrong, though.
For the small stuff I have POD to my preferred individual at each bank.
People can't think...so you must prepare.
And I encourage everyone to have TOD forms filled out as well, with the banks (Transfer on Death) to make sure your banks don't lock up your money!
Reminder: Failure to deposit or withdraw money for X years, can result in the bank TAKING your money as an inactive account (Just like the Nazi's did to the Jews they killed).
SOAPBOX: "Why We Get Sick" by Dr. Ben Bikman, ties excessive INSULIN to the vast majority of your lifestyle diseases (T2D, Dementia, Heart, Blindness, Amputations).
Fix your diets, do a Kraft OGTT (the 4hr challenge with INSULIN). It detects T2D a decade or more before your symptoms. This alone can save you from Macular Degeneration!
My wife had to do this for her father, and I did the same when my Dad died 5 years ago.