Reviewed by Main AI · Updated July 2026
Yes — through the Treasury Offset Program, your federal refund can be seized for past-due federal/state taxes, child support, and defaulted federal student loans, among others.
Your federal tax refund can be intercepted to pay certain past-due debts under the Treasury Offset Program. Common offsets include unpaid federal or state income tax, delinquent child support, and defaulted federal student loans. You typically get a notice explaining the offset and which agency claimed it. If you believe the offset is wrong — the debt isn’t yours, is already paid, or the amount is off — you can dispute it with the agency that referred the debt, not the IRS itself.
Possibly, if you filed jointly — but you may file for injured-spouse relief to recover your share of the refund.
Contact the agency that referred the debt (listed on your offset notice), not the IRS — they handle disputes about whether the debt is valid.
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