Treasury Offset Program Estimator
If you owe a federal debt like a defaulted student loan or back taxes, this estimates how much of a tax refund or a Social Security or other covered benefit payment the government can actually intercept. Pick tax refund or benefit payment above — they run under different rules — and have your debt balance and expected refund or monthly benefit amount ready.
Treasury Offset Program — how much gets taken?
A tax refund and a Social Security or other covered federal benefit payment are offset under different rules. Pick which one applies to you.
| Monthly benefit | Max monthly offset |
|---|---|
| $900 | $135.00 |
| $1,200 | $180.00 |
| $1,500 | $225.00 |
| $1,800 | $270.00 |
| $2,200 | $330.00 |
| $3,000 | $450.00 |
31 CFR 285.4(e)(1) caps the offset at the lesser of the debt owed, 15% of the benefit, or the amount over the $750/month protected floor — below about $882/month the floor is the binding number; above it, 15% of the benefit takes over. SSI is excluded from this rule entirely (see the tool below).
This is an estimate of the offset mechanics, not a prediction of whether your specific debt is actually referred to TOP. See Treasury Offset Program for how referral and notice work, and federal student loan wage garnishment if your paycheck, not a refund or benefit payment, is what's at risk. Not tax or legal advice.
Questions about this calculator
Does this estimator apply to my paycheck too, not just a refund or benefit payment?
No — the Treasury Offset Program only intercepts federal payments like tax refunds and certain benefit payments. Wage garnishment for a federal debt, such as a defaulted student loan, runs through a separate process (Administrative Wage Garnishment), not through Treasury Offset.
— US Debt Compass Editorial Team
Will I get a notice before an offset actually happens?
Generally yes — a pre-offset notice typically goes out explaining the debt, the amount, and your right to dispute or resolve it first. The exact timing depends on which agency referred the debt. See Treasury Offset Program for what that notice covers and how to respond before the deadline.
— US Debt Compass Editorial Team
Is a tax refund offset and a Social Security benefit offset calculated the same way?
No — a tax refund offset simply takes the lesser of the refund or the debt, while a Social Security or other covered benefit offset is capped at the lesser of the debt, 15% of the monthly benefit, or the amount the benefit exceeds $750/month. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is excluded from benefit offset entirely. Use the correct tab above for your situation.
— US Debt Compass Editorial Team