Unexpected refund

[Whosnot]

3 weeks ago I received a refund check from the US treasury. The check appears to be genuine. I have not received any correspondence from the IRS explaining why I was sent the check. I have verified that I included all the estimated payments I made. How do I find out why I received the check and whether or not I need to return it or can I just cash it. I have tried to call the IRS, but they are not answering they phones. I have not been able to get any response from Turbo tax

[Critter]

Do not cash the check until you know for sure what it is for and it is correct ... letters of explanation are delayed so I would wait until it comes and/or you can verify it with the IRS.  They have started putting more people on the phones but the lines are still busy.  And TT cannot help you with this issue. 

[Texas Roger]

Here is how to verify if it is real or not: https://fiscal.treasury.gov/files/reference-guidance/gold-book/check-security-poster.pdf

[Whosnot]

What is the best telephone number to reach the IRS regarding my specific problem. Somewhere I read that if my refund check was a IRS mistake I have to return the check within 21 days or face a penalty and interest. I have no way to determine if it a IRS mistake or mine without a letter. My 21 days are about to expire. I called the IRS several times and the answering machine said they were not answering the phone because they did not have enough staff.

[Texas Roger · Accepted solution]

It is unlikely the IRS would assess any penalties for late return of a check that you have no idea what it is for. You should be receiving a letter explaining the reason for the check. Since the IRS is way behind in processing paperwork, it may take a while. 

The only phone number is 800 829-1040. The IRS has started taking phone calls again but it will be hard to get through since they did not take calls for serveral weeks.

If you do need to eventually return the check, here is the procedure: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc161

[Critter]

As long as you have not cashed the check there is no penalty for holding onto it ... penalties only accrue when you have cashed the check.