Accidentally Paid the IRS Twice from Overseas
Updated on February 13, 2025
Reviewed By
Aya Takriti, an IRS Enrolled Agent with 11 years of expat tax experience, specializes in US tax preparation, tax planning and tax advice for US citizens and Green Card holders living and working in the Middle East. *Schedule a consultation with Aya today.
*30-minutes US$247.
Table of Contents
The IRS charged me twice. What should I do?
If you’ve noticed that the IRS charged you twice, you can review your IRS account and check your payment history to see if there are duplicate payments.
You can also review your bank statements or credit card records to confirm the duplicate charge.
I’ve made duplicate payments to the IRS from overseas. What can I do?
When you accidentally pay the same tax bill to the IRS twice, you can still claim a refund, but you need to communicate with the IRS first.
The IRS recommends that taxpayers call them at their overseas phone number (267-941-1000) or write to them if the matter involves a notice or bill.
It’s also important to note that you can sometimes get the duplicate payment refunded directly from your bank. You may be able to contact your bank and reverse the transaction if it’s caught soon enough.
What should I prepare when contacting the IRS?
Here is some essential information to effectively communicate with the IRS regarding duplicate payments:
- Your name, address, and social security number or individual taxpayer identification number
- The tax year and type of tax return for which the payment was made
- The date and amount of the payment
When it comes to duplicate payments, don’t expect an automatic notification from the IRS. However, once you’ve reported the situation, they will provide you with confirmation after their investigation.
What other necessary documentation can I prepare?
Typically, you will need a copy of the bank statement showing the duplicate payment, any correspondence you’ve had with the IRS about this issue, and copies of your tax returns for the year the duplicate payment was made.
For issues related to duplicate payments, it would be wise to contact the IRS department that handles billing issues (1-800-829-1040) or the IRS taxpayer advocate service for more complex issues (1-877-777-4778).
You can also contact the IRS when you’ve paid through Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW) and Direct Pay.
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How long will the refund take?
Although the IRS aims to resolve such matters as swiftly as possible, it can still take anywhere between 6-8 weeks for the refund to be processed. In some cases, it can take longer, especially if you’re dealing with a complex case or during the peak tax filing season.
Be sure to keep tracking your case and continue to follow up with the IRS. Remember that persistence often pays off when dealing with bureaucratic entities.
Can I apply the extra payment toward next year’s taxes instead?
While this is possible, it’s important to note that this applies only to certain types of taxes and specific situations. For example, you might be able to apply a duplicate payment from your current year’s tax return toward the estimated taxes for the next year.
If you decide to apply the duplicate payment to future taxes, you’ll need to contact the IRS directly to arrange this. Remember, good record-keeping is crucial in this process to ensure that your payment is correctly applied.
Are there penalties or fees associated with accidental duplicate payments?
Fortunately, accidental duplicate payments typically do not incur penalties.
However, if the IRS applies the duplicate payment to a future tax debt that you were unaware of, they could charge interest for the late payment of the original debt. In such cases, you can appeal or dispute any penalties or fees with the IRS. But remember, maintaining a thorough paper trail is crucial in these situations.
For overseas payments, it’s important to consider that your bank or payment processor might charge fees for your wire transfer, currency exchange rate, or reversal fees.
How can I track my case with the IRS?
You can track the status of your case by regularly calling the IRS department responsible for handling your issue. You can also create an account on the IRS website to check your account balance and any pending refunds.
There is a “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the IRS website. You just need to input your Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN, filing status, and refund amount.
How can I prevent future duplicate payments?
It’s always better to double-check the information before making a tax payment and ensure you’re not paying an already paid bill. Try to maintain a record of all your transactions with the IRS, and review your bank statements regularly to catch any anomalies early on.
As an expat living overseas, dealing with the IRS may seem more discouraging than it would be normally. But it’s important to remember that there are procedures for correcting errors related to duplicate payments, including potential refunds and adjustments to tax accounts.
There are also resources and professionals available to help you navigate these problems. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them and make your tax journey smoother.
