Holding Tax Payments for Child Support
Joint Filers
The Oregon Child Support Program holds tax refund offsets from joint tax returns for six months. The hold period allows tax authorities time to make adjustments, such as when a joint filer who does not owe support (known as an “injured spouse”)1 asks that their portion of the withheld payment be returned to them. See Oregon Administrative Rule 137-055-6021(1)(a). When the tax refund offset is believed to be fraudulent, the program may hold a joint filer offset for more than six months.
Single Filers
Tax refund offsets for single filers are usually released the day after. However, sometimes, such as when the tax refund offset is believed to be fraudulent, the program may hold a single filer offset for six months or more.
If you have questions, contact us at 800-850-0228 or through your online account.
1 If two spouses file a joint income tax return and one spouse has child support arrears, the spouse who does not owe the child support (referred to as the “injured spouse”) may file a claim for their share of the refund to be returned to them. This is referred to as an “injured spouse claim.”