Wondering Where Your Tax Refund Might Be? Check Your Student Loan Debt

By now millions of taxpayers have already filed their returns and have received their refunds. Still, there are others who are waiting for that check to show up in their account. For some, that wait can be very difficult and even cause a little anxiety. In most cases, there’s no need to worry. Just give it enough time and the IRS should be sending your refund soon. On the other hand, for some people who owe money on their student loans, the news might not be so good.

Several taxpayers are discovering this year that the refund they were expecting to get has instead been allocated for something else: to pay off their student loan debt. While this may come as a surprise to many, the law allows the Department of Education to take your tax refund if your student loan debt is in default. They can do this by using the Treasury Offset Program, which allows federal payments you would have otherwise received, to be taken and used to pay off debts to federal agencies.

However, according to the law, anyone who has a loan in default should first receive a warning that his or her tax refund could be used for paying down that student loan debt. In addition, if you do lose part or all of your refund, you can contest the decision. However, in order to win your protest essentially you have to prove that your student loan is not actually in default.

Posted in
Simple Steps to Building a Culture Of Direct Communication

Simple Steps to Building a Culture Of Direct Communication

Simple Steps to Building a Culture Of Direct Communication How’s the communication culture where you work? Is there open and direct communication? Do employees feel like they can speak with their bosses freely? Are supervisors easily accessible and willing to listen? Or, does it feel like you never know exactly what is going on, or…

How to Take Your Small Business to the Next Level

How to Take Your Small Business to the Next Level

 How to Take Your Small Business to the Next Level Are you looking for ways to give your small business a boost? Do you want your small business to shed its “small” description? Owning and running a small business has several challenges. In many cases, you have to wear multiple hats and do most of…

Are You Prepared to Avoid the AMT Under the New Tax Law?

Are You Prepared to Avoid the AMT Under the New Tax Law?

Are You Prepared to Avoid the AMT Under the New Tax Law? The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changed a lot of things. But unfortunately, it didn’t eliminate the dreaded Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). The TCJA did change some of the AMT rules and it reduced the odds that you will qualify for the…

Ready for Taxes After Marriage? Here’s What You Need to Know

Ready for Taxes After Marriage? Here’s What You Need to Know

Ready for Taxes After Marriage? Here’s What You Need to Know The 2018 tax season is officially over. Most Americans are happy to have their tax returns in the rearview mirror. After all, nobody really enjoys doing taxes. Why is that? For the most part, it’s because doing taxes is such a complicated, frustrating experience…