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Debt Collection Legal Authorities Quick Reference Charts

Quick Reference: Cross-Servicing Program

DEBT COLLECTION 
TOOL/ACTION
DESCRIPTIONSTATUTORY AUTHORITYREGULATORY AUTHORITY
Mandatory Transfer of Servicing to Cross-ServicingAll debts >120 delinquent (in some cases 180 days delinquent) must be sent to Fiscal Service unless exempted31 U.S.C. § 3711(g)(1)31 CFR § 285.12 
31 CFR § 901.1(e) 
I TFM § 4-4000
Administrative 
Wage Garnishment (AWG)
Garnish up to 15% of non-federal wages without a court order31 U.S.C. § 3720D31 CFR § 285.11
Credit Bureau ReportingReport delinquent debts to the major credit bureaus31 U.S.C. § 3711(e)31 CFR § 901.5
Referral to Private Collection Agencies (PCAs)Refer debts to contractors for collection action31 U.S.C. § 3718N/A
Referral to the Department of JusticeRefer debts for litigation or for compromise, suspension or termination of large-dollar debts31 U.S.C. § 371131 CFR Part 904
Treasury Offset Program (TOP)Collect debts by offset of federal and state payments31 U.S.C. § 3716 
31 U.S.C. § 3720A 
26 U.S.C. § 6402 
5 U.S.C. § 5514
31 CFR 285, Subpart A

Quick Reference: Treasury Offset Program

PAYMENT 
OFFSET 
OR LEVIED
DEBT COLLECTEDSTATUTORY 
AUTHORITY
REGULATORY 
AUTHORITY
AMOUNT 
DEDUCTED
Federal tax refundFederal non-tax debts26 U.S.C. § 6402(d) 
31 U.S.C. § 3720A
31 CFR § 285.2100%
Child support debts26 U.S.C. § 6402(c) 
42 U.S.C. § 664
31 CFR § 285.3 
45 CFR § 303.72<
State income tax debts26 U.S.C. § 6402(e)31 CFR § 285.8
State unemployment compensation debts26 U.S.C. § 6402(f)
Social Security; 
Black Lung; 
Railroad Retirement 
(benefit payments; may not be offset for child support or other State debts)
Federal non-tax debts31 U.S.C. § 371631 CFR § 285.4Lesser of 15% 
or amount over 
$750.00
Federal tax debts (levy)26 U.S.C. § 6331(h)N/A15%
Federal salaryFederal non-tax debts5 U.S.C. § 5514 
31 U.S.C. § 3716
5 CFR § 550.1101 
31 CFR § 285.7
15%
Child support debts31 U.S.C. § 3716(h)31 CFR § 285.1 
State law & regulations 
HHS procedures
50%-65%
Federal tax debts (levy)26 U.S.C. § 6331(h)N/A15%
Federal non-tax 
non-salary 
non-benefit 
(includes civil service retirement, 
travel, vendor, etc.)
Federal non-tax debts31 U.S.C. § 3716Federal Claims 
Collection Standards 
(31 CFR Parts 900-904) 
31 CFR § 285.5 
Creditor agency 
regulations
100%, except as 
otherwise provided 
by law (25% for retirement)
Child support debts31 U.S.C. § 3716(h)31 CFR § 285.1 
State law & regulations 
HHS procedures 
Exec. Order 13019
Federal tax debts (levy)26 U.S.C. § 6331(h)N/A100%, except as otherwise provided by law
State debts31 U.S.C. § 3716(h)31 CFR § 285.6100%, except as 
otherwise provided 
by law
State payments 
(tax refunds, 
vendor, etc.)
Federal non-tax debtsState statutesState regulations 
31 CFR § 285.6
100%

Quick Reference: Miscellaneous

TREASURY 
TOOL/ACTION
DESCRIPTIONSTATUTORY AUTHORITYREGULATORY AUTHORITY
Barring Delinquent DebtorsPrevent delinquent debtors from receiving federal loans, loan insurance or loan guarantees31 U.S.C. § 3720B31 CFR § 285.13 
31 CFR § 901.6
Centralized Receivables Service (CRS)Provide collection services from billing through either collection or completion of due process31 U.S.C. § 3711(g)N/A
Unclaimed AssetsLocate and recover unclaimed federal financial assets31 U.S.C. § 3718 
31 U.S.C. § 321
I TFM § 6-5100
Publishing Debtors' IdentitiesIssue regulations to allow agencies to publish debtor identities31 U.S.C. § 3720EN/A
Debt SalesSell nontax debts to the private sector31 U.S.C. § 3711(h)OMB Circular A-11

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