Yes. There are a number of instances where the Federal Government can garnish Social Security benefits, including:
- We can garnish benefits to enforce child support and /or alimony obligations -Section 459 of the Act;
- The Internal Revenue Service can levy against benefits to collect unpaid Federal taxes -Section 6334(c) of the Internal Revenue Code;
- The Internal Revenue Service can collect taxes due by levying up to 15 percent of your monthly benefit until the debt is paid;
- The Internal Revenue Service allows beneficiaries to have a portion of their check withheld to satisfy a current year Federal income tax liability - Section 3402 (P) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
- Other Federal agencies can collect money from your benefits to pay a non-tax debt you owe to that Agency - Debt Collection Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-134).
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