IRS Took My Refund-What Can I Do Now? (2025 Guide by a Southern California Tax Attorney)

IRS took my refund 2025

You were counting on your tax refund — and then it disappeared. The IRS took it.

You might’ve been depending on that money to pay rent, bills, or even catch up on other debts. If you checked your refund status and saw “Refund applied to federal debt” or “Refund offset,” don’t panic. You still have options.

At Rona Law Firm, we help taxpayers across Southern California resolve IRS debts, stop refund seizures, and negotiate settlements that give you real breathing room — fast.

Why the IRS Took Your Refund

The IRS can legally take your refund (called a “tax refund offset”) to pay certain debts you owe, including:

• Unpaid federal or state taxes

• Child support arrears

• Student loan defaults

• Certain unemployment or state agency debts

But here’s the part most people don’t know: If the offset was in error or if you’re facing financial hardship, you can fight it — and potentially get your money back.

Step 1: Find Out Exactly Who Took Your Refund

The first step is to confirm which agency received your refund. You can call the Bureau of the Fiscal Service Offset Program at 800-304-3107.

Once you know who received the money (IRS, state, child support, etc.), your tax resolution attorney can step in and request the documentation to verify whether the offset was valid.

Step 2: Challenge the IRS Offset (Yes, You Can)

If the offset was due to an IRS tax balance, there are several ways to stop future offsets and even request relief:

✅ Offer in Compromise (OIC): If you qualify, this program allows you to settle your IRS debt for less than you owe.

✅ Currently Not Collectible (CNC): If paying your IRS debt would cause financial hardship, you can get the IRS to pause collections entirely — no levies, no offsets.

✅ Injured Spouse Claim: If you filed jointly but the tax debt belongs only to your spouse, you can file Form 8379 to reclaim your portion of the refund.

✅ Appeal or Refund Claim: If the offset was in error, you can file a claim to get your money back — but deadlines are short, so timing matters.

Step 3: Get Ahead of Next Year’s Refund

The IRS can keep taking future refunds until your balance is resolved. A skilled tax resolution attorney can help you:

• Stop ongoing offsets by entering into an installment agreement or OIC

• Negotiate penalty abatement to reduce what you owe

• Protect your paycheck or bank account from future IRS levies

• Get compliant so you can safely file and keep your refunds in the future

  
  

Why Choose Rona Law Firm

At Rona Law Firm, we specialize in IRS and California tax resolution — helping people who feel helpless finally take back control.

Our clients choose us because:✅ We deal directly with the IRS so you don’t have to✅ We move fast to stop offsets and levies✅ We understand hardship cases and know how to get relief approved✅ We serve clients across Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, and all of Southern California through convenient Regus virtual offices

You don’t need to face the IRS alone — and you don’t need to lose another refund.

If the IRS took your refund and you’re looking for a tax attorney near me, not sure what to do next, call Rona Law Firm today or schedule a free confidential consultation online.

We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you stop future offsets fast — so you can keep your next refund where it belongs: in your bank account.

📞 Call Now: 818.964.1829

📅 Schedule a Consultation: www.ronalawfirm.com