This Woman Paid $10,000 in Taxes She Didn’t Really Owe

When Elizabeth Seaver received a letter in 2020 from the IRS incorrectly stating that she owed thousands in additional taxes, she was devastated.

“It was unfair because the tax return was done correctly,” Seaver, a retired music teacher, says. After receiving a second letter, asking for even more money due to penalties, Seaver paid the $10,000 balance.

Seaver is one of millions of people who use the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service. She goes to the Casselberry Recreation Center in Casselberry, Florida, to have her taxes prepared every year. Suspecting that the IRS had made a mistake, Seaver called AARP for help and was put in touch with volunteer Harv Grassian.

Grassian contacted the IRS on Seaver’s behalf and, with his assistance, she received a full refund, plus interest.

To learn more about how Grassian helped Seaver, read this story.