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Will the IRS take my refund for student loans during COVID-19?

The original coronavirus relief bill stopped tax refunds from being taken for defaulted student loans if you filed your return after March 13, 2020. Refunds being processed as of that date were also protected. Relief checks issued due to the coronavirus pandemic also aren’t being taken for defaulted federal loans.

Can IRS garnish your tax refund for spouse’s student loans?

Unfortunately, filing taxes jointly with your husband means that both your tax refunds could be garnished. As you know, defaulting on federal student loans can lead to the garnishment of your wages and tax refund. If your student loans are in default, the IRS could intercept your returns to collect.

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

Once the federal Covid relief ends, and the IRS has the green light to start collection activities again, any tax refund you receive can be garnished and used for your unpaid federal student loans that are in default.

What happens if you don’t pay your student loans?

Getting Your Tax Refund Garnished. If you don’t pay your student loans, you can actually get your tax refund garnished. This is called a tax offset – and it can take all of your tax refund if your student loan is in default.

Can a federal student loan take your tax refund?

In the case of federal student loans, the Department of Education may send the Treasury a request to seize your tax refund to put toward defaulted loans. If they do this, they can take your entire tax refund.

How can I Stop my student loans from taking my taxes?

Maybe your school didn’t pay you a refund; or you can prove you’re not in default. Either way, challenge your offset within 15 days of receiving your file or within 65 days after the offset notice (whichever comes first). Set up a payment arrangement: Contact the Department of Education or your loan provider.

Is the IRS going to garnish my student loan balance?

At this stage, the IRS might also come after your tax refund. If it does, you’ll receive a refund offset notice in the mail in advance of the proposed refund garnishment. If you pay your student loan balance before the IRS issues your tax refund, your refund won’t be garnished.