This California couple accidentally wrote out $33,060 on their tax bill instead of $3,360. But the IRS has tried to cash in on the $30,000 mistake — twice. Who’s really at fault?

The Hayses were stunned, and then hit with a $661 penalty from the IRS for what was labeled a “failure to pay on time.” Despite multiple attempts to explain the error, Joy says she hasn’t been able to speak with a live agent. After spending more than six hours on hold over the course of a month, she still hasn’t received a resolution.

A $30,000 mistake

Despite reaching out to the IRS multiple times to try and resolve the mistake, Joy has found that getting through to an actual IRS customer support agent is not an easy task.

According to tax attorney Chris Housh, the couple’s experience is becoming increasingly common.

“A human has probably not looked at what the actual situation is,” Housh told ABC 11. He explains that the IRS payment and return processing units are separate. “So the check got separated from all the paperwork … nobody has double-checked the two items together.”

Due to staffing cuts, including the loss of roughly a quarter of the IRS’s workforce in recent years, more systems have become automated. But automation isn’t perfect, and it can’t always catch red flags a person would spot, especially when it comes to handwriting mismatches on checks.

Housh warns that these types of snafus may only increase as the agency faces growing workloads with fewer people to handle them.

Common check-writing mistakes that could cost you

While IRS staffing issues play a role, the Hayses’ ordeal also shows how a simple check-writing error can create chaos. Here are some of the most common check-writing mistakes that could cause problems and how to avoid them:

• Mismatch between written and numeric amounts: Banks often honor the written amount, not the numbers in the box. Always make sure both match exactly.
• Forgetting to sign: A missing signature makes the check invalid. Make this the last step after double-checking all other fields.
• Incorrect payee name: Double-check the spelling and accuracy of the payee. A simple mistake could delay or cancel the payment.
• Postdating the check: Some people date checks in the future thinking it’ll be processed later, but most banks process checks upon receipt, regardless of the date.
• Using old or damaged checks: Scratched-out errors or torn paper can confuse processing machines. If you mess up, start over with a new check.
• Not recording the payment: Always keep a copy or photo of the check for your records, especially for major payments like taxes.

For the Hayses, what started as a well-intentioned early tax payment has become a frustrating saga involving bounced checks, penalties and seemingly endless wait times.

While their case remains unresolved, it serves as a cautionary tale: Even a small mistake can have big consequences, especially when dealing with an overwhelmed and increasingly automated system. So the next time you reach for your checkbook, taking a few extra seconds to triple-check every detail can save you from major headaches in the long run.