Consumer Rights Basics
The fundamentals every consumer should know. Your rights on refunds, returns, and warranties, billing-dispute and chargeback rights, cooling-off rules, and the federal and state agencies — the FTC, the CFPB, and your state Attorney General — that have your back.
All Consumer Rights Basics guides
- Can the Court Garnish Your Tax Refund After a Judgment?
After a judgment, a private creditor usually can't seize your federal IRS refund directly, but can take it from your bank account. Here's how it works.
- Can a Creditor Take Your Tax Refund? Federal vs. State Rules Explained
Can a creditor take your tax refund? Learn the difference between government offset and judgment creditors, plus how to protect your money.
- Can a Debt Collector Garnish Your Tax Refund? What's Actually Legal
Private debt collectors can't intercept your IRS tax refund, but they can levy the bank account once it lands. Here's what's legal and how to protect yourself.
- Can a Debt Collector Take Your FEDERAL Tax Refund?
A private debt collector cannot grab your IRS refund. Only the federal Treasury Offset Program can, for specific debts like child support or student loans.
- Can a Debt Collector Take Your STATE Tax Refund?
Can a debt collector take your state tax refund? It depends on your state and whether a court judgment exists. Here is how state refund offset and garnishment work.
- Can Debt Collectors Take Your Refund? Tax Refunds vs. Every Other Refund
Can debt collectors take your tax refund or other refunds? Federal rules, when states protect you, and the steps to fight a wrongful grab.
- Can a Lender Verify Your Tax Returns? What Borrowers Need to Know
Yes, lenders can verify your tax returns with the IRS using Form 4506-C when you consent. Here is how income verification works and your rights.
- Can 'They' Garnish Your Tax Refund? Who Legally Can and Can't
Who can legally take your tax refund and who can't. A plain-English breakdown of government offsets, private debts, garnishment, and the steps to fight back.
- Tax Return vs. Tax Refund: Can Collectors Take Either One?
A 'tax return' is the form you file; a 'tax refund' is the money the IRS sends back. Here's who can take your refund, and what private collectors actually can't touch.
- Can a Debt Collector Take Your Tax Refund for Old Debt? Statute of Limitations
A private debt collector generally cannot grab your IRS tax refund. Learn how time-barred debt, the statute of limitations, and your FDCPA rights work.
- Is It Legal for a Debt Collector to Threaten to Take Your Tax Refund?
A private debt collector usually can't touch your IRS tax refund. A false threat to seize it can violate the FDCPA and be worth statutory damages.
- What to Do If a Debt Collector Already Took Your Tax Refund
A debt collector took your tax refund? Learn who can legally seize a refund, how to claim exemptions, dispute an improper levy, and your FDCPA rights.
- Can a Creditor Garnish Your Bank Account After Your Tax Refund Is Deposited?
Once your tax refund hits your bank account, a judgment creditor can often levy it. Learn the federal rules, state exemptions, and how to protect your money.
- How to Protect Your Tax Refund From Debt Collectors and Garnishment
Can debt collectors garnish your tax refund? Learn how to protect your refund with timing, exemptions, and separate accounts under federal and state law.
- Student Loans, Child Support, and Back Taxes: What Can Actually Take Your Tax Refund
Only certain debts can legally intercept your federal tax refund. Learn the three big ones, how the Treasury Offset Program works, and how to fight back.
- Treasury Offset Program: When the Government Can Seize Your Tax Refund
Can creditors garnish your federal tax refund? Mostly no. Learn how the Treasury Offset Program works, who can take refunds, and how to fight back.