system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: Debt collectors should not be able to offset or intercept tax returns

I will say upfront that I do believe that the government should have this ability. If you owe the government money they should be able to intercept payments from the government in order to repay that debt. My view is on debt collectors who have bought debt from the government. 

I am a married father of 4 (6 person household) and I "supported" my family last year on a household income of a little over $14,000 (gross income from tax return). I say supported in quotes because I'm sure many of you can imagine what kind of support 14k is capable of providing 6 people. Due solely based on the EITC I was due a tax refund of $821.

Now as I understand it, the EITC exists in an effort to provide people at, near, or below the poverty level a much needed financial boost. 

I found out a few days ago that my tax return had been intercepted and I got the letter today saying why. 

A debt collection agency intercepted my tax return to apply it to student loan debt they bought from the government. I'll admit that the debt is valid, but look at my finances, it's not like I have the ability to pay them and I'm just choosing not to... 

Now if you owe me money and then we get into a situation where I'm giving you money for something else, I am certainly going to hold back the amount you owe me  when I make that payment, I get that. That's not what happened though. A third party bought that debt from the government (as I understand it) so the government's interest in that debt has been removed. A debt collector should have to get a court order to intercept that money regardless of the origin of that debt. Am I wrong?
gpt
Do you know for certain they bought the debt? Many collection agencies collect debt on behalf of the original debt holder without purchasing it. If that is the case, it is still government debt which you say is fine for tax lien without court order.