Dealing with Debt

questions & answers

Question: I owe $8,000.00 in state income tax from 1991. I retired in 2012 & have no income except social security. can they attach my payments?

Answer: Please see the following websites for information regarding garnishments of social security benefits:

https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/3812/What-are-the-laws-allowing-the-garnishment-and-levy-of-Social-Security-benefits

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/oasi/41/SSR79-04-oasi-41.html

According to the Social Security Administration, the federal government can garnish social security benefits.

“Social Security and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be garnished to pay government debts such as back taxes or federal student loans, and debts for child or spousal support.  Some other benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are protected from garnishment – even to pay a government debt or child or spousal support.” (http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/1157/can-creditor-garnish-my-social-security-benefits-pay-debt.html)

QUESTIONS

  • I owe $8,000.00 in state income tax from 1991. I retired in 2012 & have no income except social security. can they attach my payments?

STORIES

  • I just helped my mother, age 89, deal with her Medicare HMO. . .
  • I just helped my mother, age 89, deal with her Medicare HMO. . .
  • He told me that I could actually get all the money I needed by using my home as collateral. . .

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OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES

  • State Bar of Arizona
    www.azbar.org
  • Maricopa County Bar
    www.maricopabar.org
    Referral number 602-257-4434
  • Pima County Bar
    www.pimacountybar.org
    Referral number 520-623-4625
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    800-799-7233
  • Bankruptcy Court Self Help Center
    866-553-0893
  • Certified Legal Document Preparer Program
    Link

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