(a) As authorized and required by law, the Agency may refer past-due legally enforceable debts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for collection by offset from any overpayment of income tax that may otherwise be due to be refunded to the taxpayer. By the date and in the manner prescribed by the IRS, the Agency may refer for tax refund offset past-due legally enforceable debts. Such referrals shall include the following information:
(1) Whether the debtor is an individual or a business entity;
(2) The name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN) of the debtor who is responsible for the debt;
(3) The amount of the debt; and
(4) A designation that the Agency is referring the debt and (as appropriate) Agency account identifiers.
(b) The Agency will ensure the confidentiality of taxpayer information as required by the IRS in its Tax Information Security Guidelines.
(c) As necessary, the Agency will submit updated information at the times and in the manner prescribed by the IRS to reflect changes in the status of debts or debtors referred for tax refund offset.
(d) Amounts erroneously offset will be refunded by the Agency or the IRS in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding.
[62 FR 55166, Oct. 23, 1997, as amended at 82 FR 11785, Feb. 24, 2017]