Consumer complaint received 2022-08-07
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Lease
Issue: Managing the loan or lease — Problem with fees charged
Company: U.S. BANCORP (NY)

In XXXX of XXXX I assumed the lease of a XXXX XXXX XXXX truck. I am a resident of New York. 
The original leasee was a resident of KY In NY vehicles are taxed one time at the time of purchase or lease. 
In KY vehicle tax is due annually, billed each XXXX. 
I paid the full sales tax for the duration of the lease in NY, when I registered the vehicle in my name in XXXX of XXXX. 
At the time of registration, I gave the NY Dept of Motor Vehicles a closing package that I had received from US Bank and presented a Limited Power of Atty. to effectuate the enclosed documents. 
In XXXX of XXXX I was billed for KY property tax. 
I began disputing KY taxes at that time. 
US Bank told me that KY assesses annual property tax on all vehicles titled in their state and for some reason the vehicle title hadn't transferred from KY to NY. 
They first told me that it was my responsibility to dispute the tax with XXXX County. Then they told me the title not transferring from KY to NY was my problem. 
Both of these situations are only be able to be resolved by the OWNER of the vehicle. I contacted US Bank and explained to them that only they, as the owner, are able to resolve these issues. They have refused to correct the title issue, but continue to double tax me on the vehicle. 
I have spoken with countless US Bank representatives and disputed the KY tax. 
Each time I get a " canned '' response that " as the Leasee, you agreed to pay the taxes and fees due '' - I understand that I agreed to pay the tax due, however I don't feel it is my responsibility to pay taxes in two jurisdictions because of their error. 
I received a letter from them stating that ; " you will continue to be charged annual personal property tax on the vehicle if it is physically located in the state of Kentucky based on XX/XX/XXXX of each year. '' Based on this letter I again disputed their KY tax charge. I was told that If I sent them proof that the vehicle was continuously registered in NY from XX/XX/XXXX, that they would disregard the KY tax charge. I provided this information and their reply was the canned response that I still owed the tax. 
I extended the lease on a month to month basis, from the contract end date of XX/XX/XXXX. In XXXX of XXXX I requested that we terminate the lease extension, primarily because I did not want to possess the vehicle on XX/XX/XXXX of XXXX and be assessed another KY tax bill. I was told to drop the vehicle " at any dealership in my area ''. No dealerships in my area deal with US Bank and none would accept responsibility for the truck, nor could they provide any documentation that I had surrendered the vehicle & its condition. 
I contacted US Bank and shared this. They then stated that there was a " home pick up '' option. It was the last week of XXXX and I requested that this occur. 
I heard nothing from them. In mid XXXX I was billed for a XXXX lease payment, a XXXX lease payment and KY property tax for the year XXXX. 
I promptly disputed this and they backdated the lease to XX/XX/XXXX, waived the XXXX & XXXX payments, arranged for pick up of the vehicle, but demand that in addition to XXXX taxes, that I also pay XXXX taxes on a vehicle that I do not have in my possession, nor was I obligated by any contractual agreement for XXXX. 
Summary ; I was assessed XXXX, XXXX and XXXX KY Property tax through an error and subsequent unwillingness on US Banks part to resolve the issue. 
I don't have the benefit of the vehicle in calendar year XXXX, therefore why should I pay KY tax for someone else 's benefit? 

As stated the letter dated XX/XX/XXXX " you will continue to be charged annual personal property tax on the vehicle if it is physically located in the state of Kentucky based on XX/XX/XXXX of each year ''. - This vehicle was not. 

Letter dated XX/XX/XXXX states - " We have grounded your account and backdated the file to XX/XX/XXXX. As a result, you will not be responsible for the XXXX and XXXX bills. '' - Based on this statement I am clearly not responsible for lease/use payment and therefore not responsible for subsequent charges related to the vehicle in XXXX, including the annual XXXX use tax bill for KY Ironic that they chose XX/XX/XXXX as a date.