What is the penalty for insufficient funds?

Okay, here’s my attempt at rewriting that in a more human, conversational way:

“So, what happens if you try to pay the IRS and…oops…not enough money in the account? Been there, almost done that! (Okay, maybe I have done that once…don’t judge!).

Well, first off, they’ll definitely let you know. You’ll get a notice in the mail saying your payment bounced. Ugh, the dreaded notice!

Now, the penalty amount? It’s not a set number, which is annoying, right? Basically, if you’re short on a smaller payment, like under $1250, the penalty is either $25 or whatever you were short, whichever is less. So, if you were only $10 short, you’d only pay a $10 penalty. See? Not always the end of the world.

But, and this is a big BUT, if you’re talking about a larger amount owed…well, the penalties get bigger too. I’m not gonna pretend I know all the ins and outs of those higher penalties because honestly, I try to avoid owing them anything substantial! That’s why I just highly recommend calling the IRS directly (I know, nobody wants to call them) to get the exact scoop on your specific situation. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and trust me, those penalty amounts can add up fast! Sometimes, it’s best to hear it from the source. Saves a lot of stress later, you know?”