FAQs for Individuals Who Owe Money
The Centralized Receivables Service (CRS) is a service provided to federal agencies to assist in the collection of current, non-tax accounts receivable. CRS is managed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service.
To make a payment by phone, call the number listed on your invoice/notice. For other payment options, including instructions on how to make a payment online, go to the page titled "Payment Options" that you received with the invoice/notice from CRS.
If you cannot pay your bill in full by the due date, you may qualify to enter into a repayment plan (installment agreement).
When you call CRS at the number listed on your invoice/notice, a CRS Operator will explain the process to you and assist in determining your eligibility for an installment agreement. Eligibility will be based in part on the information you provide on the Financial Statement.
Complete, sign, and fax or mail the Financial Statement to CRS at the number/address listed on the form. CRS Operators are available Monday - Friday (except federal holidays), 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time.
You may allow someone such as your spouse, adult child, business partner, accountant, or lawyer to talk to CRS about your invoice/notice by completing and submitting an Authorization for Release of Information (Spanish version: Autorización para divulgar Información) to the fax number listed on the form. CRS is not allowed to release information about your debt to anyone without having your authorization on record.
To give CRS permission to talk to more than one person, you must fill, sign, and fax a separate form for each person.
You receive an explanation of the debt in the Description section of the invoice/notice you received. There may also be proof of debt or other information included. Please review the invoice/notice in its entirety.
If you still have questions about the money you owe, call CRS at the phone number listed on the invoice/notice. A CRS Operator will answer your questions and explain your rights, including your right to dispute the bill.
Your payment due date is printed on your invoice/notice. Not paying your bill in full or entering into an installment agreement before the due date may result in additional monies being owed.
Depending on the laws and regulations relevant to your debt, additional charges such as interest, penalties, and administrative costs may be added to your debt, as well as referral to the Department of the Treasury's Cross-servicing program for delinquent debt collection.