Social Security will stop garnishing tax refunds to pay off old debts
Thinkstock


After a public outcry, the Social Security Administration announced Monday that it will no longer attempt to collect taxpayer debts more than 10 years old.
The move came after a Washington Post article last week exposed that the U.S. Treasury was garnishing federal and state tax refunds from debtors' children. In one case, Social Security wasn't even sure which member of a family actually owed the money; it targeted one daughter, even though her four siblings and mother had also received Social Security benefits after their father died in 1960. According to the Washington Post report, Social Security planned on going after the tax refunds of 400,000 people, who collectively owed $714 million.
This effort was all made possible by a revision to the Farm Bill passed in 2008, which lifted the statute of limitations "applicable to collection of debt by administrative offset." Carolyn W. Colvin, the acting commissioner of Social Security, announced the "immediate halt to further referrals under the Treasury Offset Program," adding that "if any Social Security or Supplemental Security Income beneficiary believes they have been incorrectly assessed with an overpayment under this program, I encourage them to request an explanation or seek options to resolve the overpayment."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Nashville dining: Far more than barbecue and hot chicken
Feature A modern approach to fine-dining, a daily-changing menu, and more
-
Music Reviews: Coco Jones and Viagra Boys
Feature "Why Not More?" and "Viagr Aboys"
-
Visa wants to let AI make credit card purchases for you
The Explainer The program will allow you to set a budget and let AI learn from your shopping preferences
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read