How to check if my tax refund will be offset? (International filer)

You need to call the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) at 1-800-304-3107. I had to call them last year when I suspected my refund would get taken for an old student loan. You'll need your SSN ready, and it's an automated system that will tell you if you have any offsets. No human interaction needed unless there's a specific issue.

If you're trying to understand potential offsets before filing, you might want to check out https://taxr.ai - it helped me analyze my tax situation when I was working abroad. You can upload previous notices or transcripts and it explains if you're at risk for offsets based on your filing history. Really helpful for international filers since it clarifies which debts actually qualify for offset under Treasury regulations.

Oh my goodness, I was in the EXACT same situation last year! I was so worried about my refund getting offset and couldn't get through on the international line. I finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) to connect with an actual IRS agent who could check my specific situation. I was practically in tears with relief when they confirmed no offsets were pending! Worth every penny to avoid the endless redial nightmare from overseas.

I've been filing internationally for 8 years now. The Treasury Offset Program line (1-800-304-3107) works, but you might need to use a VOIP service if calling from overseas. Alternatively, you can request an Account Transcript from the IRS which will show any pending offsets. If you've had offsets before, they'll appear as code 898 on previous transcripts. For international filers, it's also worth checking if you have any state tax debts since those can trigger federal offsets too.

Try the IRS International Taxpayer Service. Different approach. They handle offset questions. Call 267-941-1000. Not toll-free. They have longer hours. Less wait time. Ask specifically about TOP. They'll check your account. Worth the international call cost. Better than waiting for a surprise offset.

Whatever you do, DON'T do what I did and just assume everything will be fine! I thought "surely they'd notify me if there was an offset pending" (haha, good one, right?). Filed my taxes from Germany last year, told everyone how I was going to use my refund for a nice vacation... and then watched as my entire $3,400 refund got eaten by an old student loan I forgot about. Talk about an awkward explanation to the spouse! 😬 Check BEFORE you file if you can!

Last year when I was filing from Canada, I found that having my transcript was the most reliable way to check for potential offsets. I requested my Wage and Income transcript and Account transcript through the IRS website, which showed a previous offset from 2022. When I called the TOP line after seeing this, they confirmed the exact debt (old state taxes from Illinois). Having that information before filing helped me adjust my expectations and make financial plans accordingly.

I just went through this whole process last month! Called the Treasury Offset Program from Australia using Skype. According to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, they're required to tell you if your refund will be offset. The automated system told me I had a $1,200 debt from an old IRS penalty that I had completely forgotten about. Saved me from counting on money that wasn't coming. The whole call took less than 5 minutes once I figured out how to dial internationally.