IRS Treasury Offset: How to stop DOE and Unemployment debt from taking my refund?
Just found out my refund is gonna get offset for unemployment overpayment and Department of Education loans. Really need this money right now due to hardship. Is there anyway to stop them from taking it or reduce how much they take?
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Brady Clean
Unfortunately, the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) is automatic once your debts are certified. For student loans, you can try getting on an income-driven repayment plan ASAP - this might stop the offset. For unemployment, contact your state agency immediately to set up a repayment plan. You can also file a hardship claim, but you'll need solid documentation.
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Molly Hansen
•how long does it take to stop it once I get on a payment plan?
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Brady Clean
•Usually takes 60-90 days for the system to update after you get on a valid payment plan. But tbh might be too late for this years refund
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Skylar Neal
Hey there! I've been helping folks with transcript analysis and honestly the best way to understand your specific situation is using taxr.ai - it's only $1 and it'll analyze your transcript to tell you exactly what's happening and your options. Check it out here: https://taxr.ai
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Vincent Bimbach
•does it actually work? seems to good to be true ngl 🤔
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Skylar Neal
•Yes! It saved me hours of research. It breaks down everything in plain english and even gives you next steps
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Vincent Bimbach
•just tried it and WOW 💯 this needs to be pinned somewhere fr fr
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Kelsey Chin
same boat fam 😠they took my whole refund last year for student loans
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Norah Quay
Call the Treasury Offset Program directly: 1-800-304-3107. They can tell you exactly how much will be offset but cant stop it
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Molly Hansen
•tried calling but the wait time is crazy rn
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Norah Quay
•keep trying early morning like 7am EST. Way shorter wait times
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Leo McDonald
these clowns really be taking money from ppl who need it the most fr fr 🤡
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Jessica Nolan
•ong and then wonder why people stay in debt smh
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Angelina Farar
Protip: If ur married, file injured spouse form (8379). Might save ur spouses part of the refund at least
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Ava Hernandez
You might also want to check if you qualify for any hardship exemptions. For student loans, you can request a hearing within 65 days if you believe the offset is causing financial hardship. For unemployment overpayments, some states have hardship waivers if you can prove the overpayment wasn't your fault or that repayment would cause serious financial difficulty. Documentation is key - gather bank statements, bills, income proof, etc.
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Natalia Stone
•This is super helpful info! Do you know how long the hearing process usually takes? And what kind of documentation works best for proving financial hardship?
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Carmen Ruiz
•The hearing process typically takes 30-60 days once you submit your request. For documentation, focus on: monthly budget showing expenses exceed income, medical bills if applicable, eviction notices, utility shut-off warnings, proof of dependents, and bank statements showing minimal balances. The key is proving that keeping the refund is necessary to avoid serious harm to your basic living situation.
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Jasmine Hancock
Also worth noting - if you're dealing with both student loans and unemployment debt, prioritize getting the student loans sorted first since those offsets tend to be larger. You can request a copy of your offset notice from Treasury to see the exact amounts each agency is claiming. Sometimes there are errors that can be disputed. And if you're expecting a state refund too, act fast because some states participate in offset programs as well. Document everything and keep copies of all communications!
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Talia Klein
•Great advice about prioritizing student loans! @Jasmine Hancock do you know if there s'a specific form to request the offset notice copy? And how long does Treasury usually take to send it? Want to make sure I have all the details before trying to dispute anything.
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