Income taxes

[MamaBelle4]

Our refund was scheduled to be deposited tomorrow. I logged on to "where's my refund" and there was a notice that our refund was being applied to an outstanding debt. Federal taxes, state taxes, child support or non tax federal debt like student loans.

We don't owe any of these. I DO have student loans but they are all in good standing. No missed payments or anything.

Is it possible this is just a glitch and may be resolved tomorrow? It's said that since yesterday. I'm really anxious about this so if anyone has had any experience with it, that would be tremendously helpful.

 

[JimMIA]

That sounds like a scam to me.

I'm pretty sure income tax refunds can't be applied to anything except previous US Income tax liabilities. I'm almost positive they can't be used to pay state taxes, child support or any of that kind of stuff.

There is a scam where they convince taxpayers to give them relevant information (social security info, etc) and then hijack the taxpayer's refund. Did you have any inquiries like that...supposedly from the IRS?

There is probably an Internal Revenue Service office near where you live. Call them and explain the situation to them.

 

[MamaBelle4]

That sounds like a scam to me.

I'm pretty sure income tax refunds can't be applied to anything except previous US Income tax liabilities. I'm almost positive they can't be used to pay state taxes, child support or any of that kind of stuff.

There is a scam where they convince taxpayers to give them relevant information (social security info, etc) and then hijack the taxpayer's refund. Did you have any inquiries like that...supposedly from the IRS?

There is probably an Internal Revenue Service office near where you live. Call them and explain the situation to them.

It's the IRS's website to track your refund: https://www.irs.gov/refunds

 

[Allison]

That sounds like a scam to me.

I'm pretty sure income tax refunds can't be applied to anything except previous US Income tax liabilities. I'm almost positive they can't be used to pay state taxes, child support or any of that kind of stuff.

There is a scam where they convince taxpayers to give them relevant information (social security info, etc) and then hijack the taxpayer's refund. Did you have any inquiries like that...supposedly from the IRS?

There is probably an Internal Revenue Service office near where you live. Call them and explain the situation to them.

That is not correct. Your refund can be garnished by state and federal agencies which would bring in federal student loans, state taxes and child support as examples.

 

[BelleOftheBall16]

They can absolutely take your refund for certain debts. There is a number on the IRS page regarding offsets that you can call.

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc203

 

[Jedimom33]

Bureau of Fiscal Services handles offsets to non-IRS debts, 1-800-304-3107, if it's an IRS debt, 1-800-829-1040, for info

 

[nicolita3]

Does your spouse owe on their student loans? They can and will garnish the refund for that.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Does your spouse owe on their student loans? They can and will garnish the refund for that.

He doesn't have any. I double checked my credit report to make sure I'm not missing anything. All of my student loans are in good standing, as I thought. No missed payments in the past several years. I know we don't owe fed or state taxes. We also don't owe child support - no children outside our marriage. This is bonkers. Our last name is common, is there a chance it's some kind of clerical error?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm a tax preparer and that "Where's my refund?" is pretty legitimate-this is the first time I've heard of a problem. After having a last minute chat with your spouse (although I'm sure you have) just to make sure they don't owe anything, CALL THE IRS.
Maybe I'm so concerned because we live in an area of the country with a high amount of identity theft. Did anyone not know before they came to the US that they'd need a Social Security card or number in order to get a job? At least once a week, we get a person with an Identity Protection PIN on their account. In talking with them, ask if you should file Form 14039 for an IP PIN. Good luck!

 

[barkley]

I'm pretty sure income tax refunds can't be applied to anything except previous US Income tax liabilities. I'm almost positive they can't be used to pay state taxes, child support or any of that kind of stuff.

tax refunds absolutely can be taken away for child support arrearages. when i worked for social services tax season was when child support enforcement collected massive amounts parents owed. my clients received the first $50 for each months worth that was collected so i would get notified of multiple $50 checks that had been issued to them.

you want an irate call to deal with? try the new wife who files for the first time jointly with a man who is in massive arrearage and sees the several thousands she counted on getting as a refund just getting a notice it's all been applied to that back debt

 

[Allison]

We aren't going to be able to tell you anything that will give you answers. You are going to have to call the IRS.

 

[MamaBelle4]

We aren't going to be able to tell you anything that will give you answers. You are going to have to call the IRS.

Of course I know this. I just didn't know if anyone else experienced anything similar and could give me reassurances while I waited for the offices to open tomorrow morning. This is incredibly nerve wracking and is, frankly, making me sick. I know we don't owe anything mentioned so the long battle of getting it corrected and waiting for our refund is beyond frustrating.

 

[kdonnel]

Of course I know this. I just didn't know if anyone else experienced anything similar and could give me reassurances while I waited for the offices to open tomorrow morning. This is incredibly nerve wracking and is, frankly, making me sick. I know we don't owe anything mentioned so the long battle of getting it corrected and waiting for our refund is beyond frustrating.

Hopefully you are not expecting a giant refund. The potential for tax fraud is one of the reasons I strive to actually owe each year. I figure if there is ever fraud that complicates my filing, I won't be bothered by it as much knowing I do not have thousands of my overpaid money coming my way that is now delayed as much as a year.

I was previously the victim of identity theft and have been assigned a pin by the IRS. Every year they send me the new pin and it must be used when filing my taxes.

When you talk to the IRS be sure to ask about getting an identity pin assigned for next year.

https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin
Good luck!

 

[Turn the Page]

That is not correct. Your refund can be garnished by state and federal agencies which would bring in federal student loans, state taxes and child support as examples.

Yep. We just got a surprise deposit of $400 because DH's ex was behind in child support and they took at least some of her return. She is still behind but that was a nice surprise.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Hopefully you are not expecting a giant refund. The potential for tax fraud is one of the reasons I strive to actually owe each year. I figure if there is ever fraud that complicates my filing, I won't be bothered by it as much knowing I do not have thousands of my overpaid money coming my way that is now delayed as much as a year.

I was previously the victim of identity theft and have been assigned a pin by the IRS. Every year they send me the new pin and it must be used when filing my taxes.

When you talk to the IRS be sure to ask about getting an identity pin assigned for next year.

https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin
Good luck!

We are. My DH is the only one who works and claims all the kids but we still get thousands back. And it's going to be heavily delayed I'm sure. I'll get it worked out but it could be months and months.

 

[mrodgers]

That sounds like a scam to me.

I'm pretty sure income tax refunds can't be applied to anything except previous US Income tax liabilities. I'm almost positive they can't be used to pay state taxes, child support or any of that kind of stuff.

If you are in arrears with child support, the first thing they do is take your federal tax refund. A coworker hasn't seen his refund in 5 years. My brother was in jail because he lost his job. He owed a year because he hooks up with someone and lives off them instead of getting another job. Still owes child support and he was in jail until it was paid. Mom had to bail him out, and the next time he lost his job, he lost his tax refund for I don't know how long to pay it back the 2nd time (managed to stay out of jail.)

They don't mess around with child support. Losing my job is my biggest fear.

 

[mrodgers]

Hopefully you are not expecting a giant refund. The potential for tax fraud is one of the reasons I strive to actually owe each year. I figure if there is ever fraud that complicates my filing, I won't be bothered by it as much knowing I do not have thousands of my overpaid money coming my way that is now delayed as much as a year.

It's fantastic so many people this time of year think others are idiots for getting refunds for federal tax. I either work a ton of overtime, or none at all depending on the business. I can't guess in January whether I'll have 160 hours every month or if I'll have 300 hours in July and October and again in December. Overtime pay they take out to the next tax bracket. They also take a lot out if you get bonuses. Last year I got $2000 back. This year I made $50 more for the year, but because overtime was concentrated in fewer paychecks rather than spread out smaller in more paychecks, I got $4700 back.

 

[disneychrista]

Mom had to bail him out,

Mom CHOOSE to bail him out. As far as I know bail is never an obligation.

 

[kdonnel]

It's fantastic so many people this time of year think others are idiots for getting refunds for federal tax. I either work a ton of overtime, or none at all depending on the business. I can't guess in January whether I'll have 160 hours every month or if I'll have 300 hours in July and October and again in December. Overtime pay they take out to the next tax bracket. They also take a lot out if you get bonuses. Last year I got $2000 back. This year I made $50 more for the year, but because overtime was concentrated in fewer paychecks rather than spread out smaller in more paychecks, I got $4700 back.

Huh?

 

[starry_solo]

OP, I hope your call to the IRS tomorrow goes well!