Can my South Carolina state tax refund be seized to pay off debts that I owe?
The South Carolina Department of Revenue assists other State agencies, institutions of higher learning, political subdivisions of the state, and the Internal Revenue Service in the collection of overdue accounts. All or part of your refund can be sent directly to these “claimant”agencies if they notify the Department that you have a past due account with them. The South Carolina Department of Revenue charges the taxpayer a $25.00 administrative fee to complete a refund “setoff.” If any of your refund is sent to a claimant agency, the Department will notify you in writing. If your refund exceeds the amount owed the claimant agency plus the administrative fee, the balance will be mailed to you. If you believe you do not owe the debt, the amount sent was incorrect, or the debt has already been paid, you must contact the claimant agency.
