Cross-Servicing Legal Authorities

To use this list, find the Treasury tool or action, reference the description, statutory authority, and regulatory authority associated with it. For legal authorities governing all debt collection programs, see Debt Management Services.

Mandatory Transfer of Servicing to Treasury

All debts over 180 days delinquent must be sent to Fiscal Service unless exempted.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3711(g)(1)

Regulatory Authority: 31 CFR 285.12, 31 CFR 901.1(e), & I TFM 4-4000

Administrative Wage Garnishment (AWG)

Garnish up to 15% of non-federal wages without a court order.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3720D

Regulatory Authority: 31 CFR 285.11

Credit Bureau Reporting

Report delinquent debts to the major credit bureaus.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3711E

Regulatory Authority: 31 CFR Section 901.5

Referral to Private Collection Agencies (PCAs)

Refer debts to contractors for collection action.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3718 (PCAs must comply with consumer protection laws)

Regulatory Authority: n/a

Referral to the Department of Justice

Refer debts for litigation or for compromise, suspension, or termination of large-dollar debts.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3711

Regulatory Authority: 31 CFR Section 904; Referrals to the Justice Department

Treasury Offset Program

Collect debts by offset or federal and state payments.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3716, 31 U.S.C. 3720A, 26 U.S.C. 6402, 5 U.S.C. 5514

Regulatory Authority: 31 CFR Section 285.2, 31 CFR Section 285.4, 31 CFR Section 285.5, 31 CFR Section 285.7

Miscellaneous Legal Authorities

To use this list, find the Treasury tool or action, reference the description, statutory authority, and regulatory authority associated with .

Barring Delinquent Debtors

Prevent delinquent debtors from receiving federal loans, loan insurance, or loan guarantees.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3720B

Regulatory Authority: 31 CFR 285.13 & 31 CFR 901.6

Centralized Receivables Service (CRS)

Provides collection services from billing through either collection or completion of due process.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3711(g)

Regulatory Authority: n/a

Unclaimed Assets

Locate and recover unclaimed federal financial assets.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3718 & 31 U.S.C. 321

Regulatory Authority: I TFM 6-5100

Publishing Debtors' Identities

Issue regulations to allow agencies to publish debtor identities.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3720E

Regulatory Authority: n/a

Debt Sales

Sell nontax debts to the private sector.

Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3711(h)

Regulatory Authority: OMB Circular A-11