Social Security Administration using the IRS to seize tax refunds

Inna, the heavy hand was with the Social Security Administration as they would send a threatening letter without any support or documentation of the money owed by the deceased parent with them stating the debt then fell upon the son/daughter.  How can you send someone a back bill from 30 or 40 years ago without any documentation of debt owed.  The IRS simply seized the debt alleged by the Social Security Administration in the form of a tax refund.  This is how it will work if someone chooses not to comply with the Affordable Care Act.  Next year we will have health insurance that complies with the ACA but on top of our premium we will pay another premium of about $17 a month for pediatric dental care even though we have no children under age 18.  If we don't pay the extra $200 per year for something we will never use because we have no children under age 18 then we will not be in compliance and will be fined  The IRS is empowered by the ACA to  seize the fine from a tax refund if we have one.

Barbara-Jo, it was a classic example of a rider that was totally unrelated to the original 2008 Farm Bill being added at the last moment, and few members of Congress probably even caught it.  There ought to be a law that only provisions related to a bill should be included in it and cut out all these unrelated rider or pork earmarks!

Sandy, they are probably proposing a new tax on business for those individuals whose name matches what they sell.  In your case you sell ocean front properties in Florida with sand laden beaches--Sandy Shores- so you could be hit with a new tax!!!    ^_~

Ann, I hadn't thought about it that way!  Hope you enjoyed your Fourth of July celebrations yesterday!

You are welcome, Ann!

Roy, I was glad to see that The Washington Post  was on top of this story.  It was some top notch reporting and it made a difference!

Harrison, it was entirely legal for them to do so when that debt collection extension window was opened beyond 10 years when it was slipped into the 2008 Farm Bill.  My concern is for the children who are having their tax refunds seized when they were not adults when the deceased parent received the Social Security  benenfit, and there is no documentation of wrongdoing or proof!  That is not acceptable, and good for The Washington Post  for calling the SSA out on this!  We need a more vigorous press watching out for the people!

Yolanda, thank you for reading and coming back with a comment.  The week is off to a flying start!!!

Bob, every year some of the leading accounting firms have people play a taxpayer and call in some different common scenarios to the IRS tax helpline and it usually comes out that over 50% of the answers given by IRS "experts" are WRONG.   If the tax payer acts on this incorrect anwer by the IRS the taxpayer is still liable for any penalties and back interest if they are audited.  The tax code is way too complicated and all the loopholes actually help the more well to do taxpayers.  The fair tax or flat tax would cut down on the cheating and actually raise more revenue!

Kelly, people just need to be informed and news organizations need to get out and do some old fashioned investigative research, fact checking, and reporting instead of just relying on statements by public figures and organizations!