IRS Charged Me Twice. How Do I Fix a Duplicate Payment?
Learn how to address and resolve duplicate IRS payments efficiently, ensuring your financial records are accurate and up-to-date.
Receiving a duplicate charge from the IRS can be confusing and frustrating, especially when it affects your finances. Errors like these can disrupt your budget or cash flow, so it’s important to address them promptly.
Common Causes of Duplicate IRS Payments
Duplicate IRS payments often arise from misunderstandings or technical issues. A common cause is filing multiple tax returns for the same year, such as submitting an amended return without realizing the original has already been processed. In such cases, the IRS may process payments from both returns.
Electronic payment systems, including IRS Direct Pay or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), can also lead to duplicate payments. Taxpayers might unintentionally schedule multiple payments by refreshing confirmation pages or resubmitting due to delays. Additionally, automatic payment setups for installment agreements can result in duplicates if taxpayers forget to cancel them after making a lump sum payment.
Tax software errors or user mistakes during e-filing can also cause duplicate payments. For instance, selecting payment by check while also scheduling an electronic payment may result in both being processed. Incorrect bank account information can trigger multiple payment attempts if initial attempts fail.
Verifying the Transactions
To resolve a suspected duplicate payment, start by reviewing your bank statements or credit card activity for tax payment dates. Identify multiple entries for IRS payments and compare them to your records to confirm duplication.
Access your IRS account online for a detailed view of your payment history and outstanding balances. This will help you confirm whether the IRS has recorded multiple payments for the same period. Note any discrepancies in transaction dates and amounts for reference when contacting the IRS.
Cross-check the IRS account information with your personal and third-party tax software records. Tax software often retains detailed payment histories, which can clarify how the duplication occurred. Document any inconsistencies between these records and your bank statements for use in resolving the issue.
Requesting a Resolution from the IRS
Once you confirm a duplicate payment, contact the IRS to address the issue. Gather all relevant documentation, including bank statements, IRS account records, and correspondence with tax services.
Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and provide identifying details such as your Social Security Number and filing status. This allows the representative to access your account. Take notes during the call, including the representative’s name and case reference number.
Explain the duplicate payment clearly and reference your supporting documentation. The IRS may ask for a formal written request for a refund or credit, typically using Form 843, “Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement.” Complete the form carefully, specifying the tax period and payment amounts, and attach all necessary documents.
Working with Your Bank or Card Issuer
If the duplicate payment causes immediate financial strain, contact your bank or card issuer for assistance. Provide transaction details, and they may offer solutions such as temporary credit or initiating a transaction investigation.
For credit card payments, your bank might start a chargeback process to reverse the duplicate charge while investigating. However, chargebacks involving government entities can be complex and may require extensive documentation to prove the error. Ensure you have detailed records ready.
If the duplicate payment was made via direct bank transfer and is still pending, ask your bank about stopping the payment. While this may not always be possible if the payment has already processed, it’s worth exploring. Additionally, request that your bank monitor your account for further unauthorized or duplicate transactions for added security.