IRS Sends $122,783 Check by Mistake

(CBS)  A Denver-area house cleaner could hardly believe her eyes when she opened up the mail. She was expecting to pay the Internal Revenue Service, but instead she received a refund check for more than $100,000.

Laura Schultz readily admits she's not a wealthy woman. Her job with Sunshine Maids does not put her in the category that would bring a refund in the hundreds of thousands of dollars; but the IRS sent her a check for $122,783.51.

"It didn't make sense," Schultz said.

It certainly was a real check.

"I didn't feel I was owed that much money, so I called the IRS," Schultz said. "They told me to void it."

CBS4's Rick Sallinger asked the IRS what would happen if somebody decided to keep a mistaken $122,000 check. An official said if they were caught they'd have to pay it back, plus interest.

Schultz voided the check as the IRS requested.

"I feel pretty good about turning it in."

The IRS says it cannot comment on what caused the error, but Schultz still has to pay the $80 she owed.

Local Video from CBS4 in Denver

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[ConcernedCiti]

It seems to me that her do-gooder-ism should have been rewarded by the IRS pardoning the $80 she owed them. But then, when has the IRS ever shown any shred of humanity?!!

[1notrub11]

Yes. In fact, had the return of the check (which I would have done, collect) taken up to 30 days and at 1/12% interest lost by the feds during that time (using 1% per annum), that sum alone would have covered her $80 debt.

[pubsrtoast]

Aren't they offering amnesty to the filthy rich that acquired so much wealth under Bush that they had to stash it in Switzerland? Compassionate conservatism is alive and well, if you happen to be in the right social strata that is.

[fdx22]

If there was ever a need for reform it is the IRS. We the taxpayers are paying for their mistakes plus interest?

[John_Merritt]

That sounds like a housekeeper I would want working for me, if I could afford it. Lord knows being a batchelor, I could use the additional help.

[SkirtLifter]

you couldn't afford her services john

[drsuz]

See, a prime example of how the Federal Government handle money. This and the fact they cannot even pay the auto dealers the money they owe them in that Cash For Clunkers fiasco. And we are to expect them to manage National Health Care? I think not....

[get_down]

Well - I said - It's about time that IRS should send each loyal tax-payer a check with $122,783.51. So long as it's a fair practice - I promise that I won't complain!

[specialty8]

I would have told them I thought it was the Obama stimulis check he is handing out. Obamacare for everybody!

[mr.tarver]

Oh yea blame it on Obama.