🚨 BEFORE YOU FILE YOUR TAXES… CALL THE IRS & STAT
Don’t file your taxes without checking to see if you owe any federal or state debts.
An offset can delay your refund and even disqualify you from getting a refund advance — don’t get caught off guard!
🛑 Why This Matters:
The IRS and State have recently mailed letters to people who:
• Incorrectly claimed certain tax credits in past years
• Underreported or missed income on previous returns
• Were unaware they had outstanding tax debt
📞 How to Find Out If You Have an Offset:
✔️ Call the IRS Offset Hotline: 800-304-3107
✔️ Log in to your IRS account at IRS.gov to check your federal balance
✔️ Log in to your State Department of Revenue account to review state balances
✔️ Visit your state tax agency website if you don’t have an online account yet
✔️ Contact your state tax office directly for help
📲 Need assistance?
Text “OFFSET” to 985-250-0677 and I’ll walk you through it.
Take 2 minutes BEFORE you file — it can save you money, time, and frustration!
When preparing to file your taxes, it’s crucial to understand how tax offsets can impact your refund and potentially disqualify you from receiving a refund advance. An offset occurs when the IRS or state tax agency applies your refund to pay off existing federal or state tax debts. This often happens if you have unreported income, incorrectly claimed tax credits, or simply were unaware of outstanding tax debts. To avoid surprises, you can quickly verify if an offset applies to you. The IRS provides an Offset Hotline at 800-304-3107 for direct inquiries about any existing federal tax debt. Additionally, logging into your IRS online account at IRS.gov offers a clear view of your federal balance and any pending offsets. For state taxes, you should access your State Department of Revenue online portal or contact your state tax office directly if you haven’t set up an account. Receiving notification letters from the IRS or state agencies about offsets indicates prior discrepancies in tax filings. Common causes include mistakenly claimed credits, missed income reporting, or unrecognized tax balances. Addressing these issues proactively helps prevent refund delays and preserves eligibility for refund advances, which can assist with immediate financial needs. If you need personalized guidance, many tax professionals and resources offer help—like texting "OFFSET" to the number 985-250-0677 to get assistance in navigating your tax offset situation. Taking just a few minutes to check for offsets before filing your tax return can save you considerable frustration, help you budget effectively, and ensure smoother tax processing. Early awareness allows you to correct inconsistencies or arrange payments if needed, maximizing your refund benefits and avoiding unexpected setbacks during tax season.
