Sharp Collections Inc

April 12,Revdex.com of Western Pennsylvania Holiday Drive, Suite Pittsburgh, PA Attn: *** *** RE: *** ***, ID #*** Dear Ms***: I am writing in response to your letter dated March 31,and received in our office on April 5, regarding the complaint filed by
Mrs***Sharp Collections, Incis a Municipal Tax Collection Agency retained by several municipalities and taxing authorities in Western Pennsylvania to collect Delinquent Per Capita TaxPer Capita tax is defined as a tax levied by a taxing, authority to everyone over seventeen years of age residing in their jurisdiction, regardless of income, property ownership or school attendanceIt is not included in mortgage payments, withheld by employers, nor filed as part of local earned income taxesFailure to receive a tax bill does not excuse payment of taxesAny per capita taxes remaining unpaid at the end of that taxing authority’s designated billing cycle are considered delinquent and are forwarded to a designated delinquent tax collector for collectionSharp Collections, Incis the designated delinquent collector for Shenango Township - the municipality involved in Mrs***’s complaintShenango Township’s per capita tax includes a county portion, a school portion, and a municipality portionThe county and municipality portions are billed in the spring (usually March) and the school portion is billed in the fall (usually August),On January 16, 2016, we received a list of Shenango Township residents that failed to pay their per capita taxes to the Shenango Township tax collectorMrand Mrs*** were turned over to our office for failing to pay the county and municipal portions of the per capita tax (see attached Exhibit A)Once the township’s billing cycle closed (which was 12/31/as indicated on exhibit A), both Mrand Mrs*** owed a total of $($tax and $penalty)An initial notice was mailed on March 2, to each of them (see attached Exhibits B and C)Their address of *** *** *** *** has been the same since the first time they were turned over to our office for collection in Mrand Mrs*** have both been turned over to our office for failing to pay per capita taxes for other years other than the year involved in this complaint (tax year 2015).On January 27, 2017, Sharp Collections received the delinquent per capita list for Shenango TownshipMrand Mrs*** were not included on the listAfter that list was processed for the unpaid taxes, we then updated the remaining Shenango Township accounts that had outstanding balances dueWhen our office pursues collection of a municipal debt and no payments have been forthcoming, we initiate further collection actions which incur additional collection costsSince there was no response to our original notice dated 3/2/2016, further collection action was taken and a notice mailed on March 20, 2017, which incurred an additional $cost (each of them now having a balance of $56.00) Mrs*** contacted our office on March 31, Although every effort was made to explain our collection procedures to Mrs***, she stated that she was only paying the tax amounts due, was not paying our fees, and hung upThat same day, our office received their payment of $($for each of them) with a note stating the same and that she would be contacting you (see Exhibit D)They each have an outstanding balance due of $Although we typically would send receipts to indicate as such, we have not due to the complaints that have been filed.Sharp Collections, Inc has been in operation for nearly thirty years, has built a solid reputation and prides itself on its strong commitment to both our clients and customersWe are not opposed to negotiating collection costs in circumstances where indicated and if the taxpayer can produce valid information to support that negotiationHowever, in this instance, that opportunity didn’t arise and therefore our office stands on our position that the amounts due on Mrand Mrs***’s accounts are true and accurateRespectfully, Rochelle ** K***, President Sharp Collections, Inc

June 13, *** ** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ** *** *** *** *** RE: *** ***, ID #*** Dear Ms***: I am writing in response to your letter dated June 1, and faxed to our office on June 2, regarding the complaint filed by *** ***
Please note that our office did not receive a copy of the original complaint that was submitted by Ms*** on May 7, Sharp Collections, Incis a Municipal Tax Collection Agency retained by several municipalities and taxing authorities in Western Pennsylvania to collect Delinquent Per Capita TaxPer Capita tax is defined as a tax levied by a taxing authority to everyone over seventeen years of age residing in their jurisdiction, regardless of income, property ownership or school attendanceIt is not included in mortgage payments, withheld by employers, nor filed as part of local earned income taxesIf there are errors on original bills sent by local tax collectors or if someone is no longer a resident of a municipality, it is the taxpayer’s responsibility to contact the local tax collector to ensure corrections are made or to ensure removal from the per capita tax rollsThis also holds true, when a taxpayer moves into a different municipality or is under the jurisdiction of a different taxing authorityFailure to receive a tax bill does', not excuse payment of taxesIf the same tax has not been paid to a new taxing authority, the taxpayer is still liable to pay the tax where it is being billedAny per capita taxes remaining unpaid at the end of that taxing authority’s designated billing cycle are considered delinquent and are forwarded to a designated delinquent tax collector for collectionSharp Collections, Incis the designated delinquent collector for both West *** Township and South *** Township - the municipalities involved in Ms***’s complaintEvery year, our office receives printouts of uncollected per capita taxes for both of these townshipsMs*** has been turned over to our office for failing to pay per capita taxes to West *** Township for the tax years 2008, 2010, 2011,2012, and The tax year was paid in full on January 30, The tax year was satisfactorily proven to be paid to another municipality and was subsequently deleted from her accountThe remaining tax years (through 2014) remain uncollected at this timeFor every year that a taxpayer has on their account, various collection efforts are initiated in order to prompt payment (including mailed notices and notices delivered to residences), which incur collection costsMs***’s complaint states that she has repeatedly provided our office with proof of residency, as well as proof of tax payments for the years in questionShe did indeed prove payment of to a different municipalityShe has also indicated in the past that she moved to her current address in and inferred that the property was not located in West *** TownshipAfter receiving your letter, I contacted the local tax collector for South *** TownshipShe verified that *** *** *** *** is located in her jurisdictionShe also stated that she does not have Ms*** on her per capita tax rolls and that Ms*** has not paid per capita taxes to South *** Township for the years in questionIn order for our office to delete any tax years and to satisfy West *** Township, we require verification that per capita tax was paid to another municipality, school district or countyI then contacted the local tax collector for West *** Township to review Ms***’s accountHe stated that he had Ms*** on his per capita tax rolls for the address *** *** *** *** ***He also stated that she had not notified him or the township that she had moved out of his jurisdictionHe verified that Ms***’s family members continue to reside at the *** *** *** address and also failed to notify West *** Township that she no longer resided there, in-spite of tax bills continuing to be sent to her at that address, Ms*** also indicated in her complaint that she files her taxes with a certified accountant and that in itself should provide proof of any tax paymentsAs previously defined, per capita tax is not included with filing local earned income taxes, nor is it withheld by employers, Ms*** has corresponded with our office since regarding her delinquent per capita tax accountWe have responded several times and have repeatedly requested satisfactory proof that these taxes were not due West *** Township and/or paid to South *** Township (in the form of paid receipts or copies of cancelled checks, front and back)As of this date, our office has not received adequate proofBecause of this and of the clear definition of per capita tax as outlined in the beginning of this response, our office stands on our position that the amount due on Ms***’s account is true and correct for the tax years through Respectfully,Rochelle LK***, President Sharp Collections, Inc

Review: Sharp Collections has been threatening me with collections off and on since 2009. I moved to my current address in April of 2009 and pay taxes for this township. The first couple of years, I supplied Sharp Collections with proof of residency and proof of tax payment. For some reason, they are still trying to bill me for the years I verified and years since (2009-2014). I am getting fed up with the harassing letters when I have repeatedly sent the proof they are requesting. I am also very offended by their collection practices. I have found notices threatening levy of goods, etc taped to my front door and placed in my mail box with no postage. This is unprofessional and highly offensive. I have sent emails requesting that they stop harassing me for debts that I do not owe. They always respond by saying that I have to provide proof of payment. (I have sent proof several times which they have not credited. I file my taxes with a certified accountant, so he would also have proof of my tax payments.) This has been happening since 2009....so six years of being harassed for monies that I do not owe. I have tried to handle this amicably over and over again, to no satisfaction. I find their both their record-keeping, and collection practices to be highly questionable. Since Sharp Collections does not want to be professional or reasonable, I am seeking resolution through another source.Desired Settlement: I desire that Sharp Collections adjust their records to show that I do not owe any monies. I also desire that Sharp Collections cease and desist their contact with me via mail, email, telephone, or in person both now and in the future. Thank you.

Business

Response:

June 13, 2016 [redacted] RE: [redacted], ID #[redacted] Dear Ms. [redacted]: I am writing in response to your letter dated June 1, 2016 and faxed to our office on June 2, 2016 regarding the complaint filed by [redacted]. Please note that our office did not receive a copy of the original complaint that was submitted by Ms. [redacted] on May 7, 2016. Sharp Collections, Inc. is a Municipal Tax Collection Agency retained by several municipalities and taxing authorities in Western Pennsylvania to collect Delinquent Per Capita Tax. Per Capita tax is defined as a tax levied by a taxing authority to everyone over seventeen years of age residing in their jurisdiction, regardless of income, property ownership or school attendance. It is not included in mortgage payments, withheld by employers, nor filed as part of local earned income taxes. If there are errors on original bills sent by local tax collectors or if someone is no longer a resident of a municipality, it is the taxpayer’s responsibility to contact the local tax collector to ensure corrections are made or to ensure removal from the per capita tax rolls. This also holds true, when a taxpayer moves into a different municipality or is under the jurisdiction of a different taxing authority. Failure to receive a tax bill does', not excuse payment of taxes. If the same tax has not been paid to a new taxing authority, the taxpayer is still liable to pay the tax where it is being billed. Any per capita taxes remaining unpaid at the end of that taxing authority’s designated billing cycle are considered delinquent and are forwarded to a designated delinquent tax collector for collection. Sharp Collections, Inc. is the designated delinquent collector for both West [redacted] Township and South [redacted] Township - the municipalities involved in Ms. [redacted]’s complaint. Every year, our office receives printouts of uncollected per capita taxes for both of these townships. Ms. [redacted] has been turned over to our office for failing to pay per capita taxes to West [redacted] Township for the tax years 2008, 2009. 2010, 2011,2012, 2013 and 2014. The tax year 2008 was paid in full on January 30, 2009. The tax year 2009 was satisfactorily proven to be paid to another municipality and was subsequently deleted from her account. The remaining tax years (2010 through 2014) remain uncollected at this time. For every year that a taxpayer has on their account, various collection efforts are initiated in order to prompt payment (including mailed notices and notices delivered to residences), which incur collection costs. Ms. [redacted]’s complaint states that she has repeatedly provided our office with proof of residency, as well as proof of tax payments for the years in question. She did indeed prove payment of 2009 to a different municipality. She has also indicated in the past that she moved to her current address in 2009 and inferred that the property was not located in West [redacted] Township. After receiving your letter, I contacted the local tax collector for South [redacted] Township. She verified that [redacted] is located in her jurisdiction. She also stated that she does not have Ms. [redacted] on her per capita tax rolls and that Ms. [redacted] has not paid per capita taxes to South [redacted] Township for the years in question. In order for our office to delete any tax years and to satisfy West [redacted] Township, we require verification that per capita tax was paid to another municipality, school district or county. I then contacted the local tax collector for West [redacted] Township to review Ms. [redacted]’s account. He stated that he had Ms. [redacted] on his per capita tax rolls for the address [redacted]. He also stated that she had not notified him or the township that she had moved out of his jurisdiction. He verified that Ms. [redacted]’s family members continue to reside at the [redacted] address and also failed to notify West [redacted] Township that she no longer resided there, in-spite of tax bills continuing to be sent to her at that address, Ms. [redacted] also indicated in her complaint that she files her taxes with a certified accountant and that in itself should provide proof of any tax payments. As previously defined, per capita tax is not included with filing local earned income taxes, nor is it withheld by employers, Ms. [redacted] has corresponded with our office since 2011 regarding her delinquent per capita tax account. We have responded several times and have repeatedly requested satisfactory proof that these taxes were not due West [redacted] Township and/or paid to South [redacted] Township (in the form of paid receipts or copies of cancelled checks, front and back). As of this date, our office has not received adequate proof. Because of this and of the clear definition of per capita tax as outlined in the beginning of this response, our office stands on our position that the amount due on Ms. [redacted]’s account is true and correct for the tax years 2010 through 2014. Respectfully,Rochelle L. K[redacted], President Sharp Collections, Inc.

Review: Sharp Collections has been very unprofessional, harrassing, and constantly adding fees to my account when i've made payment arrangements with them and have been making monthly paytments on time via their online website. I've also sent them many many times paperwork showing I didn't live in a certain area they are telling me I owe for Taxes but I don't because I didn't live there but maybe for less than a year!!! I have given proof of this and they're still trying to collect this money and not adjusting for the time I only was in this town. Also anytime you speak to them they're very rude, arrogant and abusive by verbal nature on the phone! I've been dealing with them since last October 2013 and it's now July 2014 for the same problem! I've also contact my local county Representative to help me as well since this company is the most unprofessional and harrassing in nature and doesn't listen to people at all! I've sent all paperwork needed and they're still charging me fees and moneis I do not owe!!! Please HELP!!!!Desired Settlement: I want this all adjusted on what is really owed or not owed! PLus the fees need to be refuned or deducted since arrangements have been made! People need to be aware of the harrassment they give towards people! I've been fighing this now since October 2013 and this is just terrible that I have to do this constantly with these people!! They're aweful!!! I'm not denying anything owed but they keep adding fees even though I've been paying!I didn't live in that city stated except maybe less year.

Business

Response:

Ms. [redacted] from the company indicates the issues have been addressed with the consumer - if this is not to be the case please contact me at the Revdex.com.