Valley, PA: (Apr-11-07) A class action lawsuit filed against H.A. Berkheimer Inc., a firm that collects taxes for more than 1,000 Pennsylvania communities, accused it of wrongly charging fees over interest and penalties on delinquent earned income tax bills between 1995 and 2001. Though Berkheimer denied any wrongdoing, it agreed to a $2 million settlement in which individuals who may have paid the additional fees to Berkheimer could be eligible for a payment up to $48.50. Several local municipalities use or have used Berkheimer as a tax collector, but some say that they haven't heard from any taxpayers with questions about the settlement.
[PITTSBURGH LIVE: TAX BILLS]
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Reader Comments
Posted by
Brian
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Brian
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I moved into my home in 2020 and never received a bill for sewer fee. Now in 2023 they are charging me for 3 years with penalties and late fees. When I contacted them to ask questions and find a reasonable compromise to settle the account, they were unable to provide a breakdown of all the charges by service date and that I could not settle it because it was sent to collections. They claimed it was my sole responsibility to investigate why they weren’t sending the invoices with my post office and it is my fault since I didn’t know to contact them when I first moved into this property. I have always paid all my bills and have a strong credit score in the 800s. When I contacted collections they said they had zero record of my account being sent to collections so I have no way to even settle this mess they have created. When I contacted the post office they said it was Berkheimer’s responsibility to request the investigation since they were the senders and they would not be able to help me. Berkheimer is yet to return a single email to address or acknowledge any of these issues or requests. I have opened a case with the BBB and have been exploring civil litigation options for fraud, negligence, pain and suffering, etc.. If this has happened to any other residents in the area, please contact me blsju5@yahoo.com and share your story. We may be able to start a class action lawsuit against them to ensure they do not continue to take advantage of people.
Posted by
Alina Lane
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Alina Lane
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My husband and I moved into our home in 2017. We never recieved a bill for sewer fee. Now in 2019 they charging us for 3 years with a penalty. When my husband called to ask questions they hung up on him! The amount is not too big, but they way the handle this is unacceptable.
Posted by
Lisa Dawson
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Lisa Dawson
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I am currently being harrassed by berkhimer for tax years I do not owe. I have not lived in that area for 6 years. I have called them many times and sent the documentation they have requested as proof. Now I get a notice that my wages are being garnished. I need a lawyer to make them stop.
Posted by
Rich
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Rich
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I just had it out with these people today. I moved back to Media, PA in 2009 and NEVER received a bill from Berkheimer. Now this year I have received 2 certified letters and my employer has received several wage attachments for my unpaid taxes ($10 per year) for those years. Except they are looking to collect about $65-$70 for each year instead of the $10. I should not be penalized for their incompetence. Let's get annoth class action lawsuit going.
Posted by
Madeline C Fabean
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Madeline C Fabean
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This company is garnishing my wage for a per capita tax for 28 years ago I did not live in the Nazareth area for the year they claim never received any notification before the garnishment I cannot believe this company is even in business after all the reviews I've read sounds like they are really running a scam I called them and they were supposed to revoke the garnishment but have not done so next step is to contact the Attorney General
Posted by
Melissa Oleksy
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Melissa Oleksy
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Berkheimer is continuous harassing us they are charging us for years live they won’t stop they have taken money out of my husband‘s paycheck for years that we weren’t even married then they turn around and charge us for those years again this company will not leave me alone will not try to stop trying to charge me and then send me up for bills that they’ve already collected on. I don’t know how to stop them as of now I am holding a bill for three years that I didn’t even live in the township that they’re trying to collect from Aer collecting from 2005 when I lived in i Leesport pa, 2007 and 2008 when I live in collegeville pa. Already paid the 2008 one twice once for Collegeville and one is for Lower Pottsgrove And once for Methacton bc we moved to lower Pottsgrove in 2008. The last time I spoke to broken Heimer they realized it but tell me they couldn’t refund my money that they legally still out of my husband’s paycheck because we were married at the time of the build up because remarried now they just go and take money out of his paycheck without even having a court date for me to go and fight them. The last time I spoke to broken Heimer they realized it but tell me they couldn’t refund my money that they legally still out of my husband’s paycheck because we were married at the time of the build up because remarried now they just going take money out of his paycheck without even having a court date for me to go and fight them I don’t understand it I don’t understand how they can have the court sign off on taking money out of his paycheck without us even receiving a court date. And because my husband‘s military I feel like there continuously going after us. I have called I have talk to the people and they just continue Lee’s every 3 to 4 months I get a new bill for a different year. And quite honestly I don’t think they can even collect from 2007 2008 five because I literally don’t even have to keep my taxes that long it’s been over 10 years ! The IRS contacts after 10 years. I don’t know what to do because I know if I don’t pay this bill they’re going to tack on another hundred $150 to every year and then pull the money out of my husband‘s paycheck without having a court date for us to say anything. I am so sick of this company and I’m so sick of them sending me bills. I am at a complete loss
Posted by
Jennifer Bonacci
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Jennifer Bonacci
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I have received NUMEROUS delinquent tax notices ever since moving 3 years ago. Prior to that I lived in the same house for 11 years and every year I paid the per capita tax even though my roommate never received a tax during that time. Berkheimer claims that I owe taxes on every year I’ve already paid, and now they are digging into the deep past, insisting that I pay school taxes when I was a student living on campus, and legally a resident of a different state at the time. They are a shady company that continues to harass people trying to scrape money out of hard working tax payers continuously and they need to be SHUT DOWN PERMANENTLY. Previous lawsuits have done NOTHING to stop them.
Posted by
Karen dinello
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Karen dinello
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I was over charged by berkhimer for new Castle in which I lived in back in 2017 I moved June of 2017 to Butler County .they owe me 402 00 dollars which they said they would refund me I have yet to see it . Please help me out. Thank you Karen dinello. Kderouin3@aol.com
Posted by
Anthony Giammatteo
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Anthony Giammatteo
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I to was sent a delinquent form for city tax for New Castle Pa. This is at least the third time. I decided to pay the tax and penalty with a self addressed envelope for my receipt and never got it. I have been retired for 5 years and my pention is subject to federal payment only. I think we all need to find a way to file another class action lawsuit against this firm. Can someone tell us how
Posted by
Mike Shaller
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Mike Shaller
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I received a delinquent tax notice in the mail today. The delinquency notice is for school per capita and occupation tax for the years of 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. I noticed the letter has my name but an address in another town. I would think this should be a simple matter but it is not. I seem to receive these letters about every 2 years. I have received some form of delinquent tax notice in 2006, 2008, 2011, 20014, and again this year. I have sent proof of payment each time. Sometimes I have proven payment for certain years or tax types more than once. For instance I had to verify payment of 2013 per capita tax in 2014, now I am being told again that tax is delinquent.
