I received a refund and haven't filed in several years-- I think 3 or 4 years ago I filed an extension however 2 weeks ago I got a letter from the irs that they had trouble automatically depositing my refund in my bank account and if I didn't receive the refund in one month to contact the irs. One week later I received 981.00 --
Optional Information: State/Country relating to question: California Already Tried: Nothing -- just holding on to the check. To be frank based on your answer I am just going to throw it away.
The refund sounds like the IRS is sending you back your extension payment. You are correct not to cash it. You can simply return the check when you file your taxes.
What further questions or comments do you have?
Hello...
Do you have any questions? It says you are now in chat.
thank you -- I knew not to cash it -- however I felt destroying is a better way to go. I thought by sending it back it would open up a can of worms, additionally the extension was several years back. your thoughts
please
I did not understand that the money you sent in was several years ago. Sorry, Now I see that.
When you look at the check buried in the print near the top are some indications for what it's for. There should be a tax period.
How much was the refund?
Oh, Isee $981.
You did NOT file a 2011 tax return?
This may be identity theft.
The letter that you received that said "we could not deposit your refund" had a tax period on it. What was that?
By the way, it says you are typing but I don't see anything. I will keep standing by. I am not ignoring you.
12/11/84
That's the date on the IRS check?
is the date on the check to the right
it has 06 15 12 but on the lower right hand side it has 12/11/84
I am confused. I thought you said you recently received this check. You received this checkback in 1984?
Okay so the date is 6-15-12.
Is there any way for you to scan the check. If you can, you can upload it here.
There are some code numbers that I need to know about.
ok ask
i don't have a copy of an IRS check handy. Wait a minute, I might.
Okay, I am looking at an IRS refund.
Across from your name on the right hand side, does it say "12/11"?
ask me what you want to know
yes and under the 12 is 84
Ignore what's underneath.
It says "12/11" and underneath the 12, there is an "84"
what else do you need to know
Or are you saying it says "12/84"
12/11
but under the 12 is 84 -- what else do you need to know
Okay, and you (1) did NOT file a form 1040 for 2011 and (2) did no send in an extension payment this past April for 2011?
no
(Sorry to be so tedious, but this medium can be like that.
Okay, somebody has filed a 2011 tax return for you. If this doesn't ring a bell, I would consider this identity theft.
no worries
I have about 3-5 clients a year whose tax returns have been illegally e-filed by somebody pretending to be them.
They get refunds slightly under $1,000 to avoid grand larcency and increased IRS interest.
The person filing tried to direct the refund to their bank account.
that's that is crazy -- destroy or return --
Well, definitely don't cash. If you simply destroy, the IRS will try to send the refund again. The better approach is to notify the IRS
your identity has been stolen so this won't keep happening.
wont that open up interest in me?
Yes, it might. I am wondering if this is why they selected you. They new you wouldn't want to attract attention--very clever.
that is what I thought
However, your problem is that the IRS thinks you have filed this 2011 return. You have no idea what they put.
At some point, in about two years, there is a "reconciliation process" where the IRS will compare the return you filed
to their records. They obviously won't match up.
So bite the bullet -- be honorable and give it back?
Here is the link for the IRS identity theft report:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14039.pdf
I think you have two choices: 1. DON'T cash the check and just see what happens. (I wouldn't destroy the check, I would just hold on to it.)
TWO--return the check along with a signed ID Theft form. This way they will "cancel out" your 2011 return.
ok I will read -- see what recourse I have -- I am not going to cash this check-- this was never an option-- that I like --
very good advice
How much do I owe you
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Experience: Tax Problem Solver extraordinare. I address IRS Notices, Liens, Levies, audits, etc.