Debtors Could Have Assets Seized
In an effort to ensure that children receive the child support that they are owed, the state Department of Taxation and Finance announced that it is enhancing its child support enforcement function.
The department has added four agents: two in New York City and two in Syracuse. The new agents are part of a 40-person team that partners with the state’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to collect overdue child support from delinquent non-custodial parents through the state’s child support enforcement program.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a proclamation which designated August as Child Support Awareness Month in New York State. By law, if a parent owes four months or more of child support and is not paying by income withholding, the OTDA will refer the case to the Tax Department.
The Tax Department uses collection tools to enforce the child support case. It also issues warrants and is then able to seize financial assets and personal property such as vehicles, that can be auctioned.
Last year, the Tax Department issued 115,542 tax warrants for delinquent child support. Recent notable seizures and results include a 2007 Mercedes-Benz which was auctioned off for $40,500; two businesses (a music and photo store) released to a respondent which resolved $13,400 in back payments; a 1993 Chevrolet Suburban released to the respondent which helped secure nearly $81,000; and a 2011 Lexus hybrid vehicle auctioned off for $22,000.
In 2011, $49 million in child support was collected in cases that were included in the OTDA/DTF process.
The OTDA also refers delinquent child support cases to the Tax Department on an annual basis for the tax refund offset process. Delinquent non-custodial parents who are eligible for a state tax refund will have their refund offset to pay past due support.
“There are children and parents throughout the state who need help, and need it now,” said Taxation Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox. “That’s why we’ve added resources for this vital mission. In addition, we use cutting edge technologies to enhance our ability to locate parents along with their income and assets. We are proud to be part of this team effort to help children and their families.”
For more information, visit www.tax.ny.gov.
