# Lost IRS rebate check, how to get a replacement?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-irs-rebate-check-how-to-get-a-replacement/463805>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 16, 2008, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-irs-rebate-check-how-to-get-a-replacement/463805 "2008-09-16T06:17:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mr\_Buttons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Mr\_Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Buttons)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-irs-rebate-check-how-to-get-a-replacement/463805/1 "2008-09-16T06:17:31Z")

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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) ☹

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mr\_Buttons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Mr\_Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Buttons)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-irs-rebate-check-how-to-get-a-replacement/463805/2 "2008-09-16T07:30:38Z")

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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:

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**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-irs-rebate-check-how-to-get-a-replacement/463805/3 "2008-09-16T09:07:56Z")

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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](http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq-kw195.html) 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.