The IRS found a mistake and gave me money back!

[David]

Apparently I made a mistake on my tax return. They say I overpaid so they sent me a check for $38 plus 11¢ interest!

Sorry to bother PPOT with this info but I'm so surprised I had to tell someone

[WolfeMacleod]

I got a letter that they had reviewed the return my tax lady did and decided I didn't owe them any money after all. I didn't send a check with the return so I was expecting it to be a bill. Nice surprise.

[VaSteve]

It does actually work both ways. You'd be surprised... there are actual Porsche people here in DC at the IRS. I know two.

[slodave]

Interest? The IRS actually paid you interest???

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

Apparently I made a mistake on my tax return. They say I overpaid so they sent me a check for $38 plus 11¢ interest!

Sorry to bother PPOT with this info but I'm so surprised I had to tell someone

15 years from now you'll get a notice saying they refunded that amount erroneously.

You will then be billed the amount, with 15 years accrued interest.

[Rick Lee]

Why don't you normally get interest with your refund?

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Why don't you normally get interest with your refund?

No. Not if you file on time. But if there is an error you get the interest due for that....or have to pay it.

[artplumber]

Me too. Get a check, but then it comes with "Form 54"

"About Your Refund Check....

The amount of the enclosed refund check is different from the amount shown on your return. You should be receiving a notice in a few days that explans why the amount of the check is different and what additional information, if any, you may need to provide to the Internal Revenue Service. The notice will explain how to contact the Internal Revenue Service if you need to provide additional information of have questions about the notice. Please do not call us until you receive the notice.

If you are certain that the amount of the refund check is too high, please return the original check to the Internal Revenue Service center where you filed your tax return with a letter explaining the reasons why the amount is too high, and we will send you the correct amount. If you do not return the check, you may owe interest."

Hiliarious. Translation:"We're giving you some money. It may or may not be the right amount. We'll decide later. Don't call us. We'll decide and might choose to inform you. If you think we made a mistake by sending you this much money (snicker) then you could write us a letter saying you don't really want this much and we can send a smaller check. But if we screwed up by sending you this check and you cash it, you will owe us interest."

This is apparently from my return filed in 2007 (for 2006).

[David]

I received that notice with the check too.

I guess I'll make sure to always have $38 plus interest laying around in case they come looking for it.

[KFC911]

Don't forget the penalty they'll tack on... $500 should cover it