On the paper
Review which tax year or debt the refund was applied to and whether a balance remains afterward.
Find the date printed on your notice or letter. The paper notice and the current official IRS instructions control, even where this page differs.
General next steps
- If you still owe after the offset, review the IRS payment options or continue an existing payment plan.
- If you disagree with the debt, call the number on the notice with your return or amended return ready.
- If part of the refund belongs to a spouse who does not owe the debt, read about Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, linked from the IRS page below.
Timing
The IRS says any remaining refund after the offset generally arrives within 3 weeks unless you owe other taxes or debts. If you disagree, call the number on your notice promptly.
What this page cannot tell you
This explanation cannot determine whether the underlying debt was correct or whether the offset was applied to the right account.
Official sources
If anything on this page differs from your notice or from current IRS instructions, follow the notice and the IRS.