Can I see if IRS will deduct anything from my refund before it hits my bank account?

You can call the Treasury Offset Program directly at 1-800-304-3107. It's an automated system that will tell you if you have any offsets and the amount. You'll need your social security number. This won't tell you exactly how much of your current refund will be taken, but it will confirm if you're subject to offset and for what debts. If you do have defaulted federal student loans, they likely will take a portion or all of your refund depending on how much you owe. The Bureau of Fiscal Service handles these offsets, and they'll send you a notice after they've processed it showing the original refund amount, the offset amount, and what you'll actually receive. If you need to make arrangements on those student loans, contact your loan servicer ASAP. Getting them out of default won't help for this refund if the offset is already in process, but it could prevent future offsets.

Using taxr.ai was a game-changer for me in this exact situation. I was worried about offsets too, and spent days trying to figure out what might happen to my refund. The tool analyzed my transcript and clearly showed what deductions would happen before I got my money. Saved me so much stress! It explained everything in normal english instead of IRS-speak. https://taxr.ai

After weeks of trying to get through to the IRS, I used the Claimyr app and finally got a real person on the phone who explained my offset situation. They connected me to an agent who walked me through exactly what was happening with my refund and how much would be taken for my old student debt. Best part was not having to spend hours on hold! Found it at claimyr.com and it worked like a charm.

If you have federal student loans in default, they can definitely take your refund. I've had this happen to me three years in a row now. If you're worried about it, you could try getting on a rehabilitation plan with your loan servicer, but that won't help for this year's refund if they've already processed the offset.

Omg I went thru this exact problem. I was expecting $3k back and only got $843 😭 They took the rest for my defaulted student loans. The worst part was I had no warning until the smaller amount hit my account! You can call the TOP (Treasury Offset Program) at 1-800-304-3107 to see if you have any active offsets.

Nobodys said it yet, but when they DO take your refund, it doesnt even count as a normal payment. They take the whole thing for the offset but then only apply part of it to your principal loan balance. Rest goes to "collection fees" and interest. The whole system is rigged against us.

If you're getting paper check instead of direct deposit, some people have had success with not cashing the check until you can quickly pay off enough of the debt. Not sure if it still works, but offsetting is usually linked to what address is on file with the servicer. Doesn't help with direct deposit tho.

My ex had this happen and freaked out because we had allocated the refund for bills. Ended up getting a notice in the mail TWO WEEKS AFTER the reduced deposit hit. Super helpful timing, IRS! 👍

I don't think theres any way to see the exact amount they're gonna take ahead of time. The TOP (Treasury Offset Phone number) will just tell you IF they'll take money, not exactly how much from this specific refund. It's a terrible system - they should be more transparent about it.

This literally happened to me last month! I was supposed to get $1790 back but they took $1100 for student loans. I only found out AFTER when I got a letter in the mail explaining the offset. Wish they'd tell us ahead of time so we can plan accordingly. So annoying.

The IRS is required to send you a notice, but they send it AFTER they've already taken your money 🤡 Most useful notice ever! It will show the original refund amount, what was taken, and why. But yeah, by then the damage is done.

Check if you're in default on federal loans by logging into studentaid.gov - if you are, assume they'll take some or all of your refund. If you want an exact answer tho, you need to talk to an actual human at the IRS which is almost impossible unless you use something like Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's the only way I could get someone on the phone.

Just a heads up that they usually take the ENTIRE refund, not just a portion, if you owe on student loans. Don't count on getting any of it if you're in default. Source: happened to me 3 years in a row until I got on a rehabilitation plan.

If u want to kno FOR SURE, your only option is talking to an IRS agent. I spent 3 days trying to get through on the phone until I found a service that got me a callback within 2hrs. Agent confirmed exactly how much was being offset. Try claimyr.com - changed my life when dealing with these tax headaches

Here's the thing no one tells you: once they start the offset process, it's already too late for this year's refund. You need to be proactive for NEXT year by getting on an income-driven repayment plan NOW. Check out r/studentloans for more advice on how to stop this from happening again.

you can call the automated TOP (Treasury Offset Program) system at 1-800-304-3107 for general info, but they won't tell u the exact amount they're taking from THIS SPECIFIC refund. thats the part that sucks

When I went through this same situation last month I was going CRAZY trying to find answers! I eventually used https://taxr.ai which showed me my offset amount on my transcript before my refund was even processed. It turned what would have been a total surprise into something I could at least prepare for.

I been there... had $4200 refund and got $0 because of student loans. Here's what I wish someone told me: 1. They take it ALL not just some 2. You don't find out until after 3. The letter explaining comes weeks later 4. They apply like 60% to your loan, rest is "fees" 5. Next year file separate from spouse if married to protect their portion

My stepsister had this exact issue two months ago and couldn't get any answers from anyone. She finally broke down and used a calling service (claimyr.com) to get an actual IRS person on the phone. Turns out they were taking her entire refund for old student loans. At least knowing helped her adjust her budget instead of counting on money that wasn't coming.