(WHTM) — Is it worth sending out a bill for 27 cents? Well a Midstate woman got one from the state.

“First of all, I couldn’t believe it,” Mary Masland said, talking about her letter from the state’s Department of Revenue.

“I think I read it three times,” Masland said. “And then I finally said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.'”

So she wrote a letter of her own, sent one to me and another one to the governor.

“I received the enclosed bill for $0.27 on May 4th, 2024,” Masland said.

What did it cost the state to send a letter requesting 27 cents?

“$0.50,” Masland said. “And I did check the envelope to see if it cost the state $0.50. And it did.”

She gave them her two cents.

“The bill that you sent had the audacity to send us for $0.27 is absolutely ridiculous,” Masland wrote in her letter. “Since the state seems to be that hard up for money, I am sending you a check for $1.”

“It just made me feel better writing the letter,” Masland said. “And I really didn’t think anybody would pay too much attention to it.”

To be fair, the Department of Revenue responded, calling it a minor programming error impacting some taxpayers.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Nittany Insiders

“We have rules in place to avoid very small billing and assessment notices, given the costs for both the taxpayer and the department,” the Department of Revenue said. “In this case, it was an isolated issue that we corrected very quickly… [you] do not need to respond or take any action if the amount shown is less than $10.”

So for Masland, her bill was 27 cents, and her payment was a buck. However, the chance to vent with an old-fashioned letter is priceless.

“Glad to see the state has not stopped wasting taxpayers’ money,” Masland wrote. “Sincerely, Mary Masland.”

She also sent a letter to the governor but she’s not expecting a response. We will see.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.