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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 8:37:45 PM

If I owe unpaid traffic tickets in the state I live in can the irs garnish my federal tax refund or just my state refund?

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1 Best answer
Alumni
May 31, 2019 8:37:47 PM

The IRS will not offset your federal refund for state unpaid traffic tickets, and cannot offset your state refund.  However, your state may be able to offset your state refund for the tickets.  It depends on the state, which you didn't name.

24 Replies
Alumni
May 31, 2019 8:37:47 PM

The IRS will not offset your federal refund for state unpaid traffic tickets, and cannot offset your state refund.  However, your state may be able to offset your state refund for the tickets.  It depends on the state, which you didn't name.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 8:37:48 PM

Illinois will get you.

New Member
May 31, 2019 8:37:49 PM

Yep and California will as well I just had mine taken

New Member
May 31, 2019 8:37:50 PM

Will Michigan

Level 15
May 31, 2019 8:37:51 PM

Just did a Google search and found that AZ, GA, IL, IN, and IA have seized state refunds for unpaid traffic violations.  Did not see MI, but no promises.  I will monitor this post and add to it if anyone reports back on other states that seize refunds for traffic tickets.

New Member
May 31, 2019 8:37:52 PM

What if my license suspended and I owe money for that will that be considered as my state and can they take it for and old car note

Level 15
May 31, 2019 8:37:55 PM

Sorry--no information for you for that.

New Member
May 31, 2019 8:37:55 PM

so this happened to me they took my state check for a ticket I wasn't aware of at all they took the whole thing which was only 242 my ticket unpaid was 549 my question is can they take from my federal which is my big check or they can only hit the state for unpaid?

New Member
May 31, 2019 8:37:57 PM

Do they take your federal for unpaid traffic tickets?

Level 15
May 31, 2019 8:38:00 PM
New Member
May 31, 2019 8:38:02 PM

They can't as of yet

New Member
May 31, 2019 8:38:05 PM

@macuser_22 thank you! My state was taken, I’m crossing my fingers you’re right.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 8:38:07 PM

Traffics are a state issue, not a Federal issue.

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc203">https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc203</a>

New Member
May 31, 2019 8:38:08 PM

If I have received my state refund without any interceptions, will my federal refund be the same or can they take away funds for fines due in court.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 8:38:10 PM

Traffic and court fines are not seized from your federal refund.

New Member
May 31, 2019 8:38:12 PM

They've been garnishing my state tax for fines in Wisconsin for years now. Obviously it's a huge fine that I cannot afford. Is the anyway (outside paying it, obvious) To end this garnishing?

New Member
May 31, 2019 8:38:13 PM

How about Vermont

Level 1
Dec 17, 2019 2:58:48 PM

Just to check if I own traffic ticket in the state I live. IL Chicago. Barrington 60010

Level 15
Dec 17, 2019 3:19:15 PM


@Thomastytler64 wrote:

Just to check if I own traffic ticket in the state I live. IL Chicago. Barrington 60010


Go to the Cook county website and search for traffic tickets.

New Member
Jan 23, 2020 9:12:05 PM

Ok, what if my dependent owes court fees. Would they still garnish my state taxes? 

Level 15
Jan 23, 2020 9:25:37 PM

No.  Your dependent's debts will not cause your refund to be seized.

Expert Alumni
Feb 21, 2020 7:37:24 PM

No, not IRS but the state might. 

Original answer

New Member
Apr 5, 2020 1:11:48 PM

Can they only take it from State are from federal to

Intuit Alumni
Apr 5, 2020 2:21:23 PM

@Billy1983

 

Your State can garnish as well as IRS for Federal.

 

This Turbo Tax article will provide more information on offsets. Who Can Garnish an Income Tax Refund? https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/tax-payments/who-can-garnish-an-income-tax-refund/L7cPPzDyc

 

 For more information you can visit the websites below. Treasury Offset Program & Debt Management Services https://www.treasury.gov/services/report-fwa/Pages/treasury_offset_program.aspx