My check payment to the IRS hasn't been cashed yet. What should I do?

Steps to Take if an IRS Check Payment Remains Uncashed

1. Verify with Financial Institution

  - Before taking any action, check with your bank or financial institution to confirm whether the check has cleared your account.

2. Contact the IRS

  - If it has been at least two weeks since the payment was sent and the check has not cleared, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to inquire about the status of the payment and whether it has been credited to your tax account. [General procedural questions | Internal Revenue Service]

3. Consider a Stop Payment Order

  - If the payment has not been credited and the check remains uncashed, you may opt to place a stop payment order on the original check and send a new payment. The IRS will not charge a dishonored check penalty for stopped payments, and you may be eligible for reimbursement of bank charges incurred for the stop payment. [General procedural questions | Internal Revenue Service]

4. Claim for Reimbursement of Bank Charges

  - To claim reimbursement for bank charges related to stopping payment, use Form 8546, Claim for Reimbursement of Bank Charges. [General procedural questions | Internal Revenue Service]

5. Review Tax Account Transcript

  - If there is a concern that payments made to the IRS are not reflected in your account, request a tax account transcript to verify all payments received by the IRS. [I Need Help Resolving My Balance Due - Taxpayer Advocate Service]

6. Additional IRS Assistance

  - If further assistance is needed after taking the above steps, the Taxpayer Advocate Service can provide help, especially if the tax issue is causing financial difficulty. [I Need Help Resolving My Balance Due - Taxpayer Advocate Service]

7. Await Further Notification

  - After initiating the above steps, wait for further notification from the IRS regarding the status of the uncashed check and any subsequent actions that may be required.

It is important to act promptly and follow these steps to ensure that your payment is properly credited and to avoid any potential issues with your tax account.

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Sources:

General procedural questions | Internal Revenue Service 2024-07-31

I Need Help Resolving My Balance Due | Taxpayer Advocate Service 2024-08-01

Lost or Stolen Refund | Taxpayer Advocate Service 2024-08-03

Withdraw an Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claim 2024-07-31

Refund Inquiries | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-02

Topic no. 161, Returning an erroneous refund | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03

IRS enters next stage of Employee Retention Credit work; review indicates vast majority show risk of being improper 2024-08-03

Publication 538 (Rev. January 2022) | Internal Revenue Service 2024-08-03