User Support Forum

We have a contributor that has been audited by the IRS, and they (IRS) have strongly questioned why the entire check number does not show up on their contribution statement. It is a case of a bill pay bank check with a total of 10-15 digits. When entering the contribution, the entire check number is allowed and shows up complete in the contribution reports, yet it appears on the statement, for example as such ...456789. I looked in every setting I could find, but was unable to locate anything to make a change in this regard. Can you help?
Thanks!!
Patti

Berachah wrote:We have a contributor that has been audited by the IRS, and they (IRS) have strongly questioned why the entire check number does not show up on their contribution statement. It is a case of a bill pay bank check with a total of 10-15 digits. When entering the contribution, the entire check number is allowed and shows up complete in the contribution reports, yet it appears on the statement, for example as such ...456789. I looked in every setting I could find, but was unable to locate anything to make a change in this regard. Can you help?
Thanks!!
Patti

Its a standard report and is formatted for the usual size of a personal check number, not sure if its 5 or 6, and setup so that it fits on one line of the report.

If the IRS really needs the full number, can pull the report where it shows the full number, and black out any data not pertaining to the contributor.

That said, I've never heard the IRS questioning the use of the last six digits of a check if they match to what is on the bank statement.

Thank you for your response. It certainly was a first for us. This may be the only time an auditor will not be so kind with this issue, but you never know.
You mentioned matching digits on the bank statement, in looking at my own, checks that are sent via bill pay, do not show the check numbers, only the name of the payee and the payee account #.
Yes, I realize I can obtain the entire check # through other means, just wanted to see if there was a way to have it on the contributor's statement. Call me lazy
Thanks again!

We are only showing the last few numbers on the contribution statement for space issues. The check number can be 20 characters, if we formatted the report so all 20 characters would show,then you would only be able to get 2 amounts on a line. This would require longer statements.

This is the first I have heard about someone questioning the check number. Does the IRS agent have written documentation that the full check number is required. I have not seen any requirements that the statement include the check number. Originally we did not include the check numbers, but many donors wanted it to verify against their records.

Here is a link to http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1771.pdfIRS publication 1771 Charitable Contributions Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements