Posted on 03/08/2007 8:05:12 AM PST by Abathar
False - as the tax code mandates refunds will be paid by check or direct deposit to a valid bank account.
I don't think my definition of legal tender is at odds with Treasury, I really don't.
What is at issue here is "private business" and "payment for goods and services." Is the power company (in this instance) a public utility? I'm unclear on that. Second, what is the arrangement i.e. pre-existing contract - would the power company be amenable to taking cash, or is it only pennies that creates an issue?
I never said it was...you were wrong in your contention that everyone must use cash and coins.
What is at issue here is "private business" and "payment for goods and services." Is the power company (in this instance) a public utility? I'm unclear on that. Second, what is the arrangement i.e. pre-existing contract - would the power company be amenable to taking cash, or is it only pennies that creates an issue?
The utility is a private company. They may or may not accept cash payments in the form of currency and reasonable amounts of coins at office locations - whether they do or not is a business decision that they are free to make...and they are clearly not obligated in any way to take $500+ in pennies.
They can refuse to accept the payment??? Since when have pennies not been legal tender in the U.S. In Illinois it might be so but if you want payment of a debt in the State of Indiana you best not refuse to take payment.
No, you are not able to tell the IRS how they will pay you a refund if due one. You file, and either get a check or direct deposit.
Apparently you have not read the thread down this far...it is explained. Kindly scroll up.
It's no big deal and won't cause one bit of inconvience to the company. They will simply take the pennies to the bank along with their other deposits and the bank will put them through a machine like any other coin that is deposited.
Generally they HAVE to accept US currency.
Also, the IRS has had checks created from shirts ala the shirt off my back.
As long as they follow the letter of the law they are fine.
Can't this be considered a "debt", since the electric power has long been consumed? It's also a given that this gentleman must continue to make payments to keep the power on. Whether the power company would continue to keep this gentleman a customer in the future is a better question I think. Can a power company refuse service? "Yes, if you don't pay". Well, he has agreed to pay, right? although the power company is refusing payment - does the power company have the boilerplate that specifies "checks only" or something like that?
Is it your contention that property taxes, motor vehicle registrations, tags or the other myriad mandatory _government_ "fees" cannot be paid in cash in any form?
How absurd can you get?
I enjoy these "penny stories" for the thought exercise - not because I think it's perverse to annoy employees or civil servants, it's stupid. Cash is a hassle, can be stolen or worse, etc. Why bother? But it is still my contention that when money is *owed* - cash in any legal tender form should be acceptable. He may have to have it rolled, and pay in $20 increments, etc.
I don't know if they can refuse his payment, but they sure can cut off his electricity.
$560 buck a month for electricity? What is he some kinda environmentalist or a Democrat or something?
They make it up in volume.
It is a cute effort but it is pointless given the fact that coin machines will count this in mere seconds.
Of course not. They can set the rules and regulations as to the manner in which they will accept payment - you do not get to dictate their rules to them. That would be absurd.
You didn't answer the question.
You got it. The office folks will ever have his face in the paper (or his name) on the bulletin board. Dumping this on them will mean his 'fame' at their expense.
How understanding do you think they will be if he really does have financial trouble and cannot pay his bill on time?
If two service calls come in at the same time, where is he going to be on the list?
Just stupid, imo.
All for a few seconds of fame...
Since 1983 they have been made of copper coated zinc. Unless he could sort them, he would not end up with just copper in the melt.
Seems like they should be able to retaliate somehow - reminds of some hotshot college student at Oxford or somesuch, who dredged up some 1492 rule that, during examination time, students would be provided with "cakes and ale" which he determined the modern equivalent would be beer and sandwiches. Not sure what the profs did, but I bet he didn't like it.
Your contention is clearly wrong. The creditor decides in what form they will accept payments, be it check, cash - as in currency and reasonable coinage, or electronic fund transfers- the debtor does not dictate those terms.
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