Can unpaid child support impact my tax refund?

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child support on Friday, July 14, 2017.

When non-custodial parents are unable to pay the child support they owe, their lives may become difficult in various ways. From being unable to apply for a passport to facing the risk of arrest, child support delinquency can upend life. Moreover, there are other consequences that some people do not realize, such as the way that unpaid child support can affect tax refunds.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, tax refunds can be reduced in order to cover back child support. If you have fallen far enough behind on your child support payments and are expecting a tax refund, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service has the ability to offset money you are owed by the IRS. If the BFS does intercept your tax refund, you will receive a notice which informs you of the action.

You may have found yourself in a tough financial position for any number of reasons. For example, you may be struggling with costs associated a medical condition that you had no time to prepare for or you may have been fired or laid off. Unfortunately, falling behind on your child support payments can make your life even more challenging and it is important for you to try and address your circumstances properly.

If you can make payment arrangements, this may be helpful. Depending on your situation, you may be able to modify your child support order and lower your monthly payments to make them more affordable. Please remember, this write-up does not serve as a substitute for legal recommendations.

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