Do the right thing return the governments own error and they charge you interest then come for the farm. Bureaucracy at its finest.
Wilson Kirby first came to us trying to return a $20,000 IRS refund sent by mistake. Now, years later, the IRS is threatening to seize his property over interest charges he says he doesn't owe. https://t.co/XVVoHUfuzY
— NewsChannel 5 (@NC5) July 22, 2026
COOPERTOWN, Tenn. (WTVF) — Wilson Perry Kirby just wanted to do the right thing.
The 76-year-old Coopertown farmer and retired Montgomery County Highway Department worker received a $20,000 tax refund from the IRS on May 10, 2022 — money he says was sent to him by mistake. He tried to give it back immediately, even enlisting his accountant’s help. Years later, he’s still fighting the consequences.
“She didn’t make a mistake, I didn’t make a mistake, they made a mistake,” Kirby said.
Instead of resolving the issue, Kirby says the IRS charged him interest on the money he had tried to return and ultimately kept his entire 2025 tax refund.
“Oh, I cried. It hurt me,” Kirby said.
The IRS has not publicly addressed the specifics of Kirby’s case, citing federal privacy law.
Kirby says he reached out to anyone who might be able to help.
h/t jlee2027