31 U.S.C. § 3728 - Setoff against judgment

• Cite as: 31 U.S.C. § 3728

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall withhold paying that part of a judgment against the United States Government presented to the Secretary that is equal to a debt the plaintiff owes the Government.

(b) The Secretary shall-

(1) discharge the debt if the plaintiff agrees to the setoff and discharges a part of the judgment equal to the debt; or

(2)

(A) withhold payment of an additional amount the Secretary decides will cover legal costs of bringing a civil action for the debt if the plaintiff denies the debt or does not agree to the setoff; and

(B) have a civil action brought if one has not already been brought.

(c) If the Government loses a civil action to recover a debt or recovers less than the amount the Secretary withholds under this section, the Secretary shall pay the plaintiff the balance and interest of 6 percent for the time the money is withheld.

Cite as 31 U.S.C. § 3728

Source: Pub. L. 97-258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 977; Pub. L. 104-316, title II, §202(p), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3844.

Notes from the Office of Law Revision Counsel

current through 5/22/2023

In the section, the words "of the United States" are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (a), the words "final . . . recovered . . . duly allowed by legal authority", "for payment", and "in any manner, whether as principal or surety" are omitted as surplus.