offsets

[Roderick]

I had a offset yesterday I called this morning and its says I don’t have one what does that mean

[Missy]

I called prior to filing taxes 1/18
I had an 80$ offsent

I called today and says I have no offsets
Wonder what it means???

[Tess]

@Amy, you really need to call the TOP and talk to a live agent to see if they can let you know if you will receive an offset this fiscal year. I’d hate for you to be expecting that money, and then it be gone when it you where needing and relying on it for bills, food, etc…
The agents are really nice and will let you know if you are on the list and whom to contact if so.
Best of luck!

[amy]

student loan from like 2009

[Tess]

@Jess & @Amy
Do either of you know what your offsets are for? And exactly for how much? If you both know that there is an offset, then yes, I’d recommend calling the whichever offset your under. Is it for back taxes/child support? Or for student loans? You don’t have to tell me specifically… as I don’t want to pry in personal information that is sensitive. But to better help, you can just say student loans or other…

[amy]

If the system says there is an offset is it possible they may not deduct it this year or is a definite that they will deduct it?

[jess]

I filed on the 16th of Jan, accepted on the 19th. I was able to order my transcripts this morning. I have an offset, is it going to delay my return, or will I get them the same?

[Tess]

@Melissa did you call the TOP number and talk to anyone just to make sure? I had to mislead you by any means… that’d break my heart for anyone this time of year. I know we all work hard, and don’t try to skimp on our obligations that we owe. So, just to make sure, I’d call them and talk to Live rep… no tears at tax time. :-(

[Melissa]

@Tess
so if I don’t see any notifications about an offset letter, and there is no collection agency listed on my account does that mean I’m in the clear? I didn’t receive a letter, to the best of my knowledge, either. My debt has been in default since mid2014. I attempted to rehabilitate it, but was not able to complete payments after being on time for the required 9months and have not been contacted about my debt since. Thanks for the info!!

[Roderick]

I don’t have any student loans but I owe for state and I didn’t have health care for a whole year only 6 months

[Tess]

@Melissa, it just depends. How long have you been in default? Are you in collections yet? Have you gotten a TOP offset letter yet? If you log into your myeddebt.gov and look under my account you will see where it will say if you have been sent an offset letter. That’ll let you know. If you owe more than what you will receive in federal, then unfortunately, you should make the call to the TOP hotline and at least prepare yourself. Good chance that offset you for the fiscal year if you’re in collections.
Let me know if you got any other questions.

[Tess]

@Roderick
Do you have any outstanding student loans? The TOP hotline is known for not being accurate. As it says in the disclaimer, to check back as the database changes daily. I would call and talk to an actual TOP service rep just to make sure though. Especially if you don’t owe, and with the IRS being so heavily guarded on fraud this year, you might want to keep your defenses up if you don’t owe.
Now if you do, then I strongly urge you to log into your Student federal FSAID account and see where your original loans stand. If they are in default, then you’ve got problem’s of actually looking at an offset. At this point, you’ll need to locate who has your loans now and if they have been sold to a collection agency on behalf of the Dept. Of Ed. to collect. You can go to: myeddebt.gov to create your account if your account is in default. Then they will have all of the information as to whom, if it is sold as of yet, your collection agency is with how to contact them.
Hope this helps…

[Melissa]

Has anyone received a refund despite having a student loan in default? I’m afraid of calling the hotline and flagging myself lol

[Roderick]

As of today no known debts was found for the SSN that’s what it says today yesterday it says a debt was found and gave me a 334 number to call to check on it

[Roderick]

No letter or topic just was reading on here and people was talking about the offset hotline and I called to see if I had one

[Roderick]

Well sorry that’s what it said I called the number and it said my refund could be offset due to a debt but I called back this morning and it says no debt for the ssn

[Tess]

Can you be more specific when you say you had an offset yesterday? Did you receive a letter or was there a tax topic of 203?
I can help a bit more if I know a little more. :-)

[Chrissy]

It usually says you have a debt, then once it changes to offset that means it has been paid…. I’m assuming if it is gone altogether then you probably owe nothing more and your refund is on it’s way to you.

[Author]

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