Department of Taxation.......seriously?

Wow - Wow - Wow!

I received a letter last month saying I owed money for my 2010 city income tax. It seemed really odd that I get a letter in October when I mailed the forms and money back in Feb. I checked my records and verified they were right (damn!) and I mailed them a check on October 17th.

Well - I get another letter last Friday and the balance has grown with interest and penalty. I jumped online to see that the check had not cleared. Hmm - so I call the auditor. After some searching through the records the guy said it hasn't been received. Now, this may not be a big deal to some people as they know better - but I am ignorant here when it comes to Toledo dealing with our tax accounts. The guy said "all the procrastinators who filed extensions, their envelopes are still being opened. We're way understaffed".

So the reason I got a letter in October is because my check wasn't actually posted until October. Is this normal? I know Toledo isn't that big of a city, but really?

This next part made me chuckle. I asked what I should do, every month I'm going to get a computer statement saying I still owe and the balance is going to increase with fees etc. He said "I would wait 2 bank billing cycles" - 2MONTHS! I replied "You want me to call in January of next year?" - "Yep!...February possibly" - when the check is finally posted they will apply it on the postmarked date on the envelope.

Is this normal?
Like, this is how our City operates?

Maybe I'm ridiculously naive, but I'm shocked at the inefficiency.