Mystery IRS check that says \ - what does this mean?
I just got the weirdest thing in the mail today - a check from the IRS for $1.68 with just a backslash symbol (\) in the memo line. Nothing else. No explanation letter, no notice number, nothing to tell me what this is for. I'm completely confused because I wasn't expecting any refund. I filed my taxes back in February and already got my regular refund in March. This random check just showed up out of nowhere. Has anyone else gotten something like this? Is this some kind of error or adjustment? I'm worried about cashing it if it's a mistake, but also don't want to ignore money the IRS actually owes me. Should I call them about this or just deposit it and move on with my life?
18 comments
Join the conversation
LongPeri
This is likely an interest payment on your regular refund. When the IRS takes longer than 45 days after the filing deadline to issue your refund, they're required by law to pay interest on the amount they owed you. The backslash symbol is probably just a placeholder or code in their system that didn't translate properly when printing the check. Since you filed in February and received your refund in March, this seems unusual unless there was some kind of adjustment to your return. Did you receive any notices about amendments or corrections to your return before this check arrived? The good news is you can absolutely cash this check - it's legitimate if it came from the Treasury. The interest payments are taxable income though, so keep that in mind for next year's return.
0 coins
Oscar O'Neil
•So if I get one of these checks, do I need to report it as income on next year's taxes? And how would I even categorize it - is it considered interest income?
0 coins
LongPeri
•Yes, you would report it as interest income on your next tax return. The IRS should send you a Form 1099-INT by January 31 of next year if the interest amount is $10 or more. Even if you don't receive a 1099-INT because your amount is below the $10 threshold, you're still required to report it as interest income on Schedule B. It's a fairly straightforward process - just look for the line for "Interest Income" when you're doing your taxes next year.
0 coins
Sara Hellquiem
I had the same thing happen to me last month! Got a random $2.13 check with just a backslash. I was confused too but then I remembered I had to amend my taxes from last year. I went to https://taxr.ai and uploaded pics of my check and last year's tax docs, and they confirmed it was interest on my delayed refund. Their system is pretty cool - it analyzes the check pattern and matches it against known IRS payment codes. The backslash is apparently just a system code that means "interest payment" in their internal systems. Something gets lost in translation when they print the checks. Totally safe to cash though!
0 coins
Charlee Coleman
•Wait, so you're saying there's a site that can tell you what random IRS checks are for? How does that even work? I've got a mystery check too but I'm nervous about uploading my tax docs to some random website.
0 coins
Liv Park
•How can you be sure this taxr site is legit? Sounds sketchy uploading tax docs to a random site. Did they actually explain why you got the check or just tell you the same thing the person above already said?
0 coins
Sara Hellquiem
•They use document recognition to identify payment patterns - it's similar to what banks use for mobile check deposits. You don't have to upload your full return, just the check image is enough in most cases. They're a legit service that specializes in decoding tax notices and payments. They actually showed me the exact reason code from the IRS system and explained that my check was specifically for interest on an amended return processing delay, not just a general refund delay. Much more specific than what I could figure out on my own.
0 coins
Liv Park
Well I was really skeptical about that taxr.ai site mentioned above, but after getting another weird IRS letter with codes I didn't understand, I decided to give it a try. I just uploaded a picture of the check and my confusion letter, and within minutes they explained everything. Turns out my backslash check was for an adjustment after they recalculated a credit I claimed! The explanation had all these specific IRS codes that made sense when explained. Saved me a 2-hour wait on the phone with the IRS. Never would have figured it out otherwise since the IRS website was zero help. Definitely checking them first next time I get confusing tax stuff.
0 coins
Leeann Blackstein
If you want to know for sure what that check is for, good luck trying to call the IRS directly! I tried calling about a similar small check and spent HOURS on hold only to get disconnected. After the third attempt, I found https://claimyr.com which gets you through the IRS phone system and holds your place in line. You can see a demo at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c of how it works. They called me when an agent was actually on the line so I didn't waste my whole day on hold. The agent confirmed my random check was interest on a processing delay. Apparently they're required by law to pay interest if they're late with your refund, and the backslash is just their internal code that doesn't translate to anything meaningful on the check.
0 coins
Ryder Greene
•How does this service actually work? I'm confused how a third party can somehow get through the IRS phone system faster than I can myself.
0 coins
Carmella Fromis
•This sounds like complete BS. There's no way some random service can magically get through to the IRS faster than anyone else. The IRS phone system treats everyone the same - we all wait forever. They're probably just charging you to do exactly what you could do yourself.
0 coins
Leeann Blackstein
•It uses automated technology to navigate the IRS phone menus and wait on hold for you. It's basically like having someone else wait in line while you do other things. When a human IRS agent finally answers, you get a call connecting you directly to that agent. They aren't skipping the line or getting special treatment. They're just taking over the most painful part - the waiting. I was skeptical too, but after wasting literally 3+ hours of my life trying to get through myself, I was desperate. The service actually worked exactly as advertised, and I got to speak with an IRS agent without the soul-crushing hold time.
0 coins
Carmella Fromis
OK I need to apologize for my skeptical comment above about Claimyr. After getting another IRS notice yesterday, I was desperate enough to try it. I figured it would be a waste of money, but I was completely wrong. The service called me back in about 90 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line. The agent explained that my little backslash check was actually an interest payment for a math error correction they made on my return. Apparently when they fix certain errors that result in additional refund amounts, they have to pay interest on the delay. Saved myself at least 2 hours of hold music and frustration. Will definitely use again during tax season when it's impossible to get through.
0 coins
Theodore Nelson
Has anyone ever gotten one of these checks and just NOT cashed it? I got one for $1.17 last year and honestly just tossed it because it seemed like too much hassle to deposit such a tiny check. Now I'm wondering if that was a mistake? Will the IRS come after me or something?
0 coins
AaliyahAli
•You should definitely cash it! Government checks expire after one year, but you can request a replacement. It's your money! Even if it's a small amount, why give it back to the government? Plus, not cashing it might cause accounting discrepancies in their system.
0 coins
Theodore Nelson
•That's good to know about the one-year expiration. I'll dig through my files and see if I can still find it. You're right that it's silly to give money back to the government even if it's just a dollar and change. As for discrepancies, that makes sense. I never thought about how it might mess up their accounting if the check is never cashed. I'll be more careful with any future random checks!
0 coins
Ellie Simpson
My dad got a similar check but his had a code on it that started with "INT546" which his accountant said means interest payment, tax year 2024, code 546 (refund interest). The accountant said these tiny interest payments have been going out more frequently the past couple years because of all the IRS processing delays. Maybe check if there are any tiny numbers or codes printed elsewhere on the check?
0 coins
Freya Collins
•I looked really closely at the check and you're right! There is a tiny code printed at the bottom edge that says "INT-2024". Must be interest payment for 2024 processing like you said. Mystery solved! Thanks for this tip - I would have never noticed that tiny print.
0 coins