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New Member
posted Jan 7, 2022 10:45:40 AM

If someone else claims me on their taxes, and I owe back child support, can they take my refund or the person who claims me,their refund?

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6 Replies
Level 15
Jan 7, 2022 10:48:15 AM

Only your refund.  Not from someone who claims you.  

Level 15
Jan 7, 2022 10:51:00 AM

Whether you are claimed as a dependent or not----if you are getting a tax refund it can be seized for your child support.  They cannot seize the refund of the person who can claim you.

 

TurboTax never knows about offsets to your refund--but you can check on it so you know what to expect.

 

 https://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-refund-offsets-pay-unpaid-debts

 

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/refunds/help/what-is-a-refund-offset/00/26301

 

Reduced Refund      https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc203

 

 

 NOTE: You can contact the IRS Treasury Offset Program Call Center at 1-800-304-3107 to ask if they have an offset for you on file. TurboTax would not have that information.

 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/tax-payments/who-can-garnish-an-income-tax-refund/L7cPPzDyc

New Member
Jan 7, 2022 12:02:43 PM

They can only take your refund, not someone's who claims you. Although if you do not legitimately meet all the requirements to be claimed on someone else's taxes or you are claimed on someone else's taxes to increase their return and reduce yours in an attempt to avoid child support obligations, you BOTH can be civilly and criminally prosecuted by IRS and State child support enforcement offices and the person who claimed you will be responsible for paying back any financial benefit they received as a result of having claiming you. 

Level 15
Jan 7, 2022 4:52:18 PM

The can only take the refund of the specific individual that is legally obligated to pay the child the support.

New Member
Jan 28, 2024 5:13:52 AM

I wanted to claim my live in girlfriend she is disabled an not able to work I have been taking care of her for the pass two years an our child she owes back child support from a previous relationship.my question is if I claim her will they take my refund  or is it best not to claim her.

Level 15
Jan 28, 2024 5:16:54 AM


@Smith3968 wrote:

I wanted to claim my live in girlfriend she is disabled an not able to work I have been taking care of her for the pass two years an our child she owes back child support from a previous relationship.my question is if I claim her will they take my refund  or is it best not to claim her.


Your tax refund cannot be seized because of the debts owed by a dependent you have claimed on your tax return.