Follow the money on the notice
Make a simple three-line record: expected refund, amount applied elsewhere and amount received. Then copy the creditor agency's name and the notice's contact instructions. The IRS describes notices that identify the original refund and the debt receiving the payment. That record helps distinguish a spouse's overdue obligation from a tax adjustment on the joint return. Do not assume every reduced refund has the same cause or remedy.
Separate allocation from liability relief
Injured-spouse relief may return an eligible person's share of a joint refund used for a spouse's debt. Innocent-spouse relief addresses a different problem involving responsibility for tax. Start with the correct question: are you disputing a debt, requesting allocation of a refund, or challenging additional tax? Gather income statements, withholding records and the filed return so a reviewer can assess which issue exists without guessing from the domain name or a sales description.
Create a complete review packet
Put the offset notice first, followed by the return and separate income and payment evidence for each spouse. List items you cannot locate, including an older creditor notice. Ask a professional which current form instructions apply and what filing period controls your request. If you contact the agency listed on the notice, record the date and the requested next step. Preserve copies of anything submitted and evidence of delivery.
Your action checklist
Use the checks to plan. Do not send sensitive documents through this website.
Questions people ask
Can I claim the entire joint refund?
An allocation depends on the facts and applicable rules. Do not assume the full refund belongs to one spouse because that person prepared the return.
What if I dispute the underlying debt?
Follow the offset notice's instructions for the creditor agency. A dispute over that debt and an IRS refund-allocation request can require different steps and supporting documents.
Official resources
Agency rules and your facts control. Review current guidance before acting.