I thought the IRS was not going to garnish my stimulus check but after doing my taxes they are going to keep my $600 stimulus check towards Texas owed for 2020..

[DoninGA]

That is not a garnishment.  The tax credit was used reduce the amount of 2020 federal taxes owed.  Just like any other tax credit would be used to reduce the amount of taxes owed.

The taxes owed would have to be paid regardless if you received a stimulus payment or not.

[Critter-3]

OK ... here is where the confusion is ... there is a difference between the advance of the credit and the actual credit ...  here is the sad truth.

The ADVANCE payment is not subject to any offsets  ...   HOWEVER  the credit on the tax return  can and will be used to reduce your taxes owed on the 1040 form  AND  if you have a refund on line 35A  that amount CAN AND WILL  be grabbed for any and ALL offsets you may have.  

[VolvoGirl]

On your 2020 return you are filing now?  Would you rather get the whole Stimulus payment and then still owe the total tax due? Works out the same way.

[fanfare]

@Critter-3 

I don't think this is what the IRS FAQ says.

It implies that the grabbable refund will be reduced by the amount on Line 30.