Lost IRS rebate check, how to get a replacement?

Factual Questions
1

So I got my rebate check a couple months back for $250. I’ve had it sitting on my nightstand, saving it for a rainy day.

I frequently write notes to myself on little pieces of paper and leave them on the night stand. Sometimes my rabbit likes to chew on the random pieces of paper I have lying around. No problem, we’ve all seen the “MIT bunny letter opener” rabbit, so I just figured the rabbit liked the fiber or something.

A couple days ago I let my rabbit run around the room… and I guess you can see where this is going. Bunny is munching on some paper while I’m surfing the net. After hearing him still chewing after 15 seconds or so, I turn around and much to my horror he had eaten the bottom right-hand side of my IRS rebate check.

Now I’m stuck w/ 3/4 of a check, which I’m assuming is worthless because the entire “Signature” area on the bottom right is missing. I highly doubt my bank will accept it, the bunny got 1 or 2 of the routing #'s at the bottom, along w/ the entire signature area.

Am I going to be stuck on the phone for 10+ hours dealing w/ various government agencies to get another check sent? Will I get $20 or so deducted for having to get a stop payment on the first check? I really have no idea what to do about this, but I definitely want my $250. What should be my next step?

(Yes, with hindsight, I should not have left the check within bunny reach. This is something I didn’t think to plan ahead for) :frowning:

2

Minor edit: The check was for $300, not $250. Either way, I wish my damn rabbit would’ve found a nice corner of a post-it note, rather than the piece of paper worth $300. :mad:

3

Take a red crayon and write “DEAR IRS, MY BUNNY ATE MY CHECK PLEASE SEND ANOTHER, LOVE MR BUTTONS”, and mail it to Washington. They’ll just send you a replacement.

Alternately, this IRS FAQ Page has a section on “I lost my refund check. How do I get a new one?” It has a number to call for a lost refund check, (800) 829-1954, which would probably a good place to start to get a replacement for a damaged check. It says that you may have fill out a form, but they can normally provide a replacement in six to eight weeks if the check hasn’t been cashed.

Good luck.