Helps Clear Bristol Township Woman from $32,800 in Wrongfully-Owed Back Taxes

(Bristol, PA) – Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) joined Donna Bonnot of Bristol Township to announce tax help for 8th District constituents. Ms. Bonnot recently received notice from the Internal Revenue Service that she owed $32,800 in back taxes for tax year 1998; the IRS had levied her bank accounts in addition to placing a garnishment on her wages. Congressman Murphy's office was able to convince the IRS to complete a full investigation of these tax returns, and subsequently concluded that it was not Ms. Bonnot's liability. She is now free from this debt, and will be refunded any money taken toward the $32,800 in liability.

“As tax season approaches, my office is here to help folks like Donna, and I want to encourage other 8th District residents to seek out my office for assistance,” said Rep. Patrick Murphy.

“Congressman Murphy was incredibly helpful to me as I worked to navigate the IRS,” said Donna Bonnot. “His office worked hard to ensure that I would be free of the debt I was wrongfully charged, and I am very grateful for their assistance. I hope other Bucks residents reach out to them for this kind of help, too.”

Residents of the 8th District are encouraged to contact Congressman Murphy’s office at (215) 826-1963 for help with tax issues; some of the ways our office can help include:

• Assisting constituents who have tried to resolve tax problems through the IRS without result;
• Assisting constituents who have fallen on difficult times and now face financial penalties from the IRS;
• Assisting both individual taxpayers and businesses with refund issues, back taxes, federal offsets, levies, liens, and tax payment options;
• Expediting 501(c)(3) applications in some circumstances (such as Application for Recognition for Exemption); and
• Answering questions related to IRS regulations.

For Immediate Release, February 2, 2010
Contact: Kate Hansen, (202) 225-4276