Will the IRS take my refund if I owe student loans?

Asked by: Kavon Bauch DVM  |  Last update: January 14, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (46 votes)

The government may take your federal income tax refund if you are in default. Computer records of all borrowers in default are sent to the I.R.S. If you are in default on your federal student loans, all or a portion of your tax refund may be taken and applied automatically to your federal student loan debt.

Will the IRS take my taxes if I owe student loans?

Share: If your student loan is in deferment, the IRS won't take your refund. The IRS will only take your refund if you're delinquent with your student loans to offset debt.

Is the IRS garnishing tax refunds 2024 for student loans?

Collection activities are currently paused for all federal student loans through September 2024, which should protect your 2022 and 2023 federal and state tax refunds.

Will the IRS hold my refund if I owe?

If you owe a federal tax debt from a prior tax year, a debt to another federal agency, or certain debts under state law, the IRS may keep (offset) some or all your tax refund to pay your debt. In fact, in many situations the IRS is legally required to forward your refund to pay the debt.

Will student loans take my tax refund in 2025?

Those who are in default could risk having their tax refund seized come tax time. You might be planning on getting a tax refund in 2025 but if you're in default on your federal student loans, your refund could be at risk.

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How can I stop the IRS from taking my refund?

If you have an objection to the debt, you have the right to request a review of your objection. If you're successful, your tax refund and other federal payments will not be offset, or the amount being offset may be reduced.

Will student loans be garnished in 2024?

Collections (offset and garnishment) on most defaulted loans will stay paused through Sept. 30, 2024, due to the Fresh Start program.

What kind of debt can the IRS take your refund for?

Past-due child support; Federal agency nontax debts; State income tax obligations; or. Certain unemployment compensation debts owed to a state (generally, these are debts for (1) compensation paid due to fraud, or (2) contributions owing to a state fund that weren't paid).

How do I know if the IRS will offset my refund?

The Bureau of Fiscal Services will send you a notice if there's a refund offset. The offset notice will show: Original refund amount. Your refund offset amount.

Does the IRS always take your refund if you owe child support?

When Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service processes a tax refund, it matches the noncustodial parent's debt and intercepts part or all of the tax refund, depending on how much is owed. Working through OCSS, the offset payment is then sent to the state child support agency to pay toward the past-due support.

Why did I get a refund check for my student loans?

Typically, these refunds are intended to cover school-related expenses such as off-campus housing, supplies or transportation. However, there are also cases in which students have borrowed more than they actually needed, resulting in a refund check. It's important to know that refund checks are not “free” money.

What tax year does fafsa use for 2024?

The 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form asks for your (the student's) and your family's 2022 income and tax information. enables submitting a FAFSA form before attending school.

Are student loans still on hold in 2024?

Generally, if you miss payments, your loan is considered delinquent and is reported as such to the national credit reporting agencies. You don't get reported when you're in forbearance. During the on-ramp period (through Sept. 30, 2024), we automatically put your loan in a forbearance for the payments you missed.

Will the IRS offset my refund in 2024 for student loans?

The student loan tax offset program resumed in 2024. If you have federal student loans in default, your 2025 tax refund may be at risk. If you're behind on payments, try using a student loan calculator to help come up with a repayment strategy and contact your student loans servicer about getting caught up.

Will the IRS take my state refund if I owe federal?

Maybe. Under the State Income Tax Levy Program, the IRS can levy (take) your state tax refund to offset back taxes, addressing any tax debt you might owe. If this happens, the state will give you notice of the levy. The IRS will also give a notice, after the levy, offering you the opportunity to appeal the debt offset.

Will the IRS take my state refund if I am on a payment plan?

No, if you have an installment agreement set up, and you don't default on making the monthly payments you will not lose your State refund.

Will the IRS automatically take my refund if I owe them?

If you owe back taxes, the IRS will take all your refunds to pay your tax bill, until it's paid off. The IRS will take your refund even if you're in a payment plan (called an installment agreement).

What is a hardship refund?

Overall, an IRS Hardship Refund Request serves as a mechanism for taxpayers experiencing severe financial hardship to seek relief from the burden of withheld funds and address immediate financial needs.

What is the tax offset for 2024?

For 2024, there's an offset of $700 for taxpayers with a taxable income under $37,500, with a pro-rata payment up to $66,667.

At what point will the IRS come after you?

The IRS may come after you any time you have an unpaid tax bill and you don't respond to demands for payment. Typically, the IRS only issues federal tax liens if you owe over $10,000, but the agency can take collection actions against taxpayers who owe less than that amount.

How to find out if your income tax refund will be garnished?

Individuals may call 800-304-3107 with questions about a delinquent debt. My spouse and I filed a joint tax return and our refund was offset for a debt that my spouse owes.

Does IRS forgive debt?

The IRS ultimately determines whether you qualify for debt forgiveness. However, the agency generally considers taxpayers who meet these criteria: a total tax debt balance of $50,000 or less, and a total income below $100,000 for individuals (or $200,000 for married couples). Need to talk to a tax relief specialist?

Will I get a tax refund if I owe student loans?

Usually only the state and federal governments are able to take your tax refund, therefore you'll probably get your refund if your student loan debt isn't: With the state or federal government. Part of a federally insured student loan program.

Will my student loan debt ever go away?

Will unpaid student loans ever go away? The government can forgive student loan debt, but if you miss student loan payments, it can make it more difficult for them to go away. After at least 20 years of student loan payments under an income-driven repayment plan, your undergraduate student loan debt will be forgiven.

Can your check be garnished for student loans?

Your loan holder can order your employer to withhold up to 15% of your disposable pay to collect your defaulted debt without taking you to court. This withholding (“garnishment”) continues until your defaulted loan is paid in full or removed from default.