What is Administrative Offset? A Comprehensive Legal Overview
Definition & Meaning
Administrative offset refers to the process of withholding funds that are owed to an individual or entity by the United States to settle a debt or claim. This can occur when the government seeks to recover amounts owed due to various reasons, such as unpaid taxes or defaulted loans. Essentially, it allows the government to use available funds to satisfy outstanding obligations.
Legal Use & context
This term is commonly used in the context of federal debt collection. Administrative offsets can apply in various legal areas, including:
- Tax law
- Loan recovery
- Social Security overpayments
Individuals may encounter administrative offsets when they owe money to the government. Users can manage some related procedures through legal templates available from US Legal Forms, which can help simplify the process of addressing such debts.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Here are some examples of administrative offsets:
- A person who has defaulted on a federal student loan may have their tax refund withheld to cover the outstanding balance.
- A business that owes back taxes may have payments from government contracts offset to satisfy the tax liability.
Relevant laws & statutes
Key legislation related to administrative offsets includes:
- The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, which provides the framework for federal agencies to collect debts through offsets.
- Federal Claims Collection Standards (31 CFR Part 901), which outline procedures for collecting federal debts.