Federal Income Tax Refund Offset Program Removes Age Limitation for Child Support Collection

Bowling Green, Ohio – November 29, 2007 – Each year, the Wood County Child Support Enforcement Agency utilizes the Federal Tax Offset program to seize almost three-quarters of a million dollars for families.  The Program retains the tax refund of payors who are more than $500.00 behind in their obligation to their children, and in most cases sends the funds on to the families. 

     For 2008, however, the Deficit Reduction Act passed by Congress on February 1, 2006 allows the Agency to intercept these refunds when past-due child support is owed despite the age of the child.  Prior to the Act, federal tax refunds could only be intercepted if past due support was owed to a minor.  By lifting the age restriction, a 600% increase in the total amount of arrears submitted for Federal Tax Offset is expected state-wide. Ohio, as a whole, intercepts on average $85 million each year from parents eligible for tax refund offset.

     Non-custodial parents may receive a Pre-Offset Notice in the mail stating the Agency is planning to intercept their tax refund.  The notice will give an opportunity to dispute the amount of past-due support owed.

    For more information about the change, please contact Frank McLaughlin, Director, Wood County Child Support Enforcement Agency, 419/354-9270.