When Joy Hays decided to get ahead on her 2025 taxes, she and her husband Kenneth figured they owed around $3,360. But a small slip of the pen nearly cost them 10 times that amount.
As she wrote out the check, Hays mistakenly wrote out “thirty-three thousand + 60” in the written portion of the check. The discrepancy went unnoticed by the IRS, which tried to withdraw the full $33,060 from the couple’s Chase account. When it bounced, the agency tried again. It bounced again.
The Hayses were stunned, and then hit with a $661 penalty from the IRS for what was labeled a “failure to pay on time.” Despite multiple attempts to explain the error, Joy says she hasn’t been able to speak with a live agent. After spending more than six hours on hold over the course of a month, she still hasn’t received a resolution.
Must Read
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how
- I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP
A $30,000 mistake
Despite reaching out to the IRS multiple times to try and resolve the mistake, Joy has found that getting through to an actual IRS customer support agent is not an easy task.
According to tax attorney Chris Housh, the couple’s experience is becoming increasingly common.
“A human has probably not looked at what the actual situation is,” Housh told ABC 11. He explains that the IRS payment and return processing units are separate. “So the check got separated from all the paperwork … nobody has double-checked the two items together.”
Due to staffing cuts, including the loss of roughly a quarter of the IRS’s workforce in recent years, more systems have become automated. But automation isn’t perfect, and it can’t always catch red flags a person would spot, especially when it comes to handwriting mismatches on checks.
Housh warns that these types of snafus may only increase as the agency faces growing workloads with fewer people to handle them.
Read more: This is how much US drivers saved on car insurance when they switched providers, according to a new Consumer Reports survey of 140,000 policyholders
Common check-writing mistakes that could cost you
While IRS staffing issues play a role, the Hayses’ ordeal also shows how a simple check-writing error can create chaos. Here are some of the most common check-writing mistakes that could cause problems and how to avoid them:
- Mismatch between written and numeric amounts: Banks often honor the written amount, not the numbers in the box. Always make sure both match exactly.
- Forgetting to sign: A missing signature makes the check invalid. Make this the last step after double-checking all other fields.
- Incorrect payee name: Double-check the spelling and accuracy of the payee. A simple mistake could delay or cancel the payment.
- Postdating the check: Some people date checks in the future thinking it’ll be processed later, but most banks process checks upon receipt, regardless of the date.
- Using old or damaged checks: Scratched-out errors or torn paper can confuse processing machines. If you mess up, start over with a new check.
- Not recording the payment: Always keep a copy or photo of the check for your records, especially for major payments like taxes.
For the Hayses, what started as a well-intentioned early tax payment has become a frustrating saga involving bounced checks, penalties and seemingly endless wait times.
While their case remains unresolved, it serves as a cautionary tale: Even a small mistake can have big consequences, especially when dealing with an overwhelmed and increasingly automated system. So the next time you reach for your checkbook, taking a few extra seconds to triple-check every detail can save you from major headaches in the long run.
What to read next
- How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement
- There’s still a 35% chance of a recession hitting the American economy this year — protect your retirement savings with these 5 essential money moves ASAP
- This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchase. Here’s how to buy the coveted asset in bulk
- Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Join 200,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.