Dishonored Payments

Responding to Taxpayer Inquiries:

My check (payment) did not clear. What now?

• At times taxpayers will call the Internal Revenue Service because they received a Letter 608C, Dishonored Check Penalty Explained, stating that their payment was dishonored and returned from a financial institution (bank) unpaid. The Internal Revenue Service does not submit checks or other commercial payment instruments a second time for payment. The re-submission of a payment is in the hands of the clearinghouse. When a check or other commercial payment instrument is not paid, the clearinghouse frequently resubmits it to the bank.
• We cannot ensure that the check or other commercial payment instrument will be submitted a second time for payment. It is up to you to decide whether to wait and see if the clearinghouse resubmits it to the bank, or whether you should make an additional payment.
• If your check or other commercial payment instrument is resubmitted and there are sufficient funds in your bank account to cover it, the check will be paid and not returned to the Internal Revenue Service, and therefore, you will not be charged with the penalty and interest for an unpaid check. If the payment is late, however, there may be penalty and interest for the late payment. We will notify you if a balance becomes due on your account.

How is the penalty calculated?

When a check or other commercial payment instrument the IRS receives for payment of taxes does not clear the bank, a penalty generally applies that equals 2 percent of the amount of the check or other commercial payment instrument. If, however, the amount of the check or other commercial payment instrument is less than $1,250.00, the penalty is $25.00 or the amount of the check or other commercial payment instrument, whichever is less. Thus, if the amount of the check or other commercial payment instrument is from $25.00 to $1,249.99, the penalty is $25.00.

Request Penalty or Other Commercial Payment Instrument Abatement

The Internal Revenue Service can abate this penalty in certain circumstances. You may request penalty abatement by providing a reason why the payment was dishonored. This request must be made in writing and should only be done after you have received notification of a penalty assessment.

Stop Payments

Generally, this penalty is not assessed on checks or other payment instruments for which a stop payment order has been requested. If a penalty is assessed, please send a copy of the stop payment request along with your request for penalty relief to the address on the notice.

Source: Internal Revenue Service
Last reviewed: September 22, 2013