Can a credit card company take your income tax return?
Sophia Koch
Updated on February 05, 2026
If you owe money to a credit card company, they cannot garnish your refund to cover your debt. Only the government can garnish your tax refund, and only for debts you owe to the government like unpaid state or federal taxes, unpaid federal student loans, or child support.
Can a debt collector take your tax refund?
These debts include past-due federal taxes, state income taxes, child support payments and amounts you owe to other federal agencies, such as federal student loans you fail to pay. As a result, the collection agencies that your other creditors hire to obtain payment from you cannot intercept or garnish your tax refund.
Will I get a stimulus check if I owe child support?
Your third stimulus payment can’t be seized to pay child support. Under the CARES Act from March 2020, your first stimulus check could be seized by state and federal agencies to cover past-due child support. That rule changed for the second stimulus check, which couldn’t be taken if you owe money for child support.
Can a credit card garnish my state and federal tax return?
In Michigan, a creditor can garnish a state income tax refund. There are a few exceptions, but it is up to you to prove that the money falls into one of those exceptions.
Can a government agency garnish your tax refund?
Government agencies frequently garnish federal income tax refunds since they are the most common federal payments. The TOP is the only way your refund can be garnished; private creditors such as credit card companies don’t have access to your tax refund. Moreover, only certain types of government debts are eligible for TOP. These include,
Can a credit card company garnish your paycheck?
Credit card companies can garnish (take) your wages just like most other creditors. However, before taking part of your paycheck, the credit card company must first: sue you in court. obtain a money judgment, and. get a court order directing your employer to deduct funds.
Can a judgement creditor garnish your tax return?
A Judgement Creditor Other Than an IRS Judgement Cannot Directly Intercept a Tax Refund. Individual and private creditors, including credit card companies, do not have the right to directly claim your refund. However, once the money hits your bank account, your state law may allow a private judgement creditor to garnish it.