2007-01-02 10:24:18 · 13 answers · asked by luvinstead 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
Social Security benefits are protected from most creditors, but not all. So while regular creditors can't touch your Social Security benefits, the Federal Government can. Social Security benefits can be garnished only to repay certain federal debts.
When a garnishment of Social Security benefits is possible, the most that can be taken is 15%. And for most federal debts, a garnishment of Social Security should never lower your net benefit to below $750 a month. This means that Social Security benefits can't be garnished at all if you get less than $750 a month.
There is one exception to the protections that otherwise keep your Social Security benefits above the $750 a month floor. If your federal debt is to the IRS for back taxes—and back taxes only—the IRS can take 15% out of your monthly Social Security benefit check, even if that check is less than $750 a month, until your federal tax debt is repaid.
Unfortunately, I have had my share of dealings with the IRS - as a singer , paying taxes to the US and to Canada - and having a daughter that was in school and a taxman that was not 'on top of the laws'. I found out- regardless- the IRS still holds YOU responsible!
2007-01-02 10:36:24 · answer #1 · answered by THE SINGER 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Social Security isn't wages and cannot be garnished except by the IRS.
2007-01-02 13:50:17 · answer #2 · answered by sm4125 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They can only be levied at the source - Social Security Administration, but only by IRS, up to
a maximum of 15% - but I don't know what happens once the money hits your bank account
and some creditor has a court order to seize that account.
2015-11-07 07:55:47 · answer #3 · answered by Hunter 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In 2001 Congress secretely passed legislation allowing SS Pensions to be levied to a maximum of 15% by the IRS for unpaid taxes. The levy can be lifted if you prove to the IRS you are indigent and have no other source of income but the pension (they say). I fought them for a year, I am a Viet era Vet cancer survivor, but they wanted to argue the point. Nice people huh?
Finally after a letter to my U.S. Senator, the levy was lifted on the very next check. It pays to complain... our system works.
2007-01-02 10:58:58 · answer #4 · answered by Gunny T 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think any debt owed to the gov't can be taken back by any means ... including Soc.Sec., the gov't giveth the gov't taketh away !!!! You didn't leave much detail ... but if they're taking out money there's usually an explanation of what's paid that comes in the mail once a year or you can call/go to Soc Sec ofc and ask them to explain the benefits detail.
2007-01-02 10:33:24 · answer #5 · answered by Chele 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
She might desire to nevertheless get her Social risk-free practices incapacity income; SSI is besides to that, and that i'm unsure how that works. i could initiate by chatting together with her social worker at dialysis, and then additionally to Social risk-free practices. I even have been on dialysis; I won SS incapacity yet not SSI.
2016-12-15 07:30:35 · answer #6 · answered by bruhn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, especially for back taxes
2007-01-02 10:25:53 · answer #7 · answered by H.O.T. Dog 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Would'nt think so.Unless it was a debt owed to Social Security
2007-01-02 10:27:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
If its for a student loan yes it can be.
2007-01-02 10:25:28 · answer #9 · answered by shirley e 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes...better believe it....
2007-01-02 10:39:16 · answer #10 · answered by cork 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋