I think it depends on when your debts are discharged. If they were already discharged, it was a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and it wasn't discussed at the creditors meeting, then the refund is yours. Besides, imagine if you filed on April 15th. You might not get your refund until later June or almost July, and that's months from when your debts were discharged. I'm pretty sure it's yours.
I think it depends on when the bankruptcy is discharged, but it would be discussed at your meeting with the creditors and the trustee. If it wasn't discussed, then the refund is yours.
No, the IRS will get to keep it. And, even if you could get it back, the bankruptcy trustee would probably take it to distribute to your creditors.
You need to discuss this with your attorney. Once you receive your tax refund, it's part of your personal assets that could be seized to pay creditors. If you file bankruptcy before you get your taxes then the government will keep your tax refund and put it towards your debt. The bankruptcy court has 1 year to go back and open your case even after your bankruptcy has been discharged. If you can prove that the money is needed/used for catching up rent or other nessacery bills they will not take it.
Whether you are entitled to your tax refund will depend on what type of Chapter of bankruptcy you are filing and whether the bankruptcy exemptions can be used to protect the tax refund. If you are filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy then you can generally keep the refund if the available state bankruptcy exemptions provide protection for it. If you are in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy you are typically required to turn over the tax refunds during the life of the Chapter 13 case.
The judge may ask you what it was spent on. Necessities such as food, shelter, utilities etc. are acceptable and a usual answer. You did the right thing. Receive and spend the refund before filing bankruptcy, if possible. Of course, is not always possible due to the stress from pressure by creditors. You should weigh the relief bankruptcy provides against the amount of stress you can live with.
I think it depends on when the bankruptcy is discharged, but it would be discussed at your meeting with the creditors and the trustee. If it wasn't discussed, then the refund is yours.
The trustee may take the refund and distribute it to creditors because a tax refund is not considered an exempted asset under bankruptcy laws.
No. The debt is simply discharged so you don't owe it.
It depends on the courts. I had a friend who went through bankruptcy and was owed a refund from the IRS. The trustee for the bankruptcy ordered her to turn over the refund to the courts to be paid out to creditors. So it could happen, but they cannot actually intercept or offset your refund. They will just order you to pay it to the trustee.
No, the IRS will get to keep it. And, even if you could get it back, the bankruptcy trustee would probably take it to distribute to your creditors.
30 seconds Sam
Depending on some things, like when the tax was paid and when the BK was filed, the refund is like any other asset and available to creditors. The trustee or court would take it and pay it to creditors according to their standing in the case.
You need to discuss this with your attorney. Once you receive your tax refund, it's part of your personal assets that could be seized to pay creditors. If you file bankruptcy before you get your taxes then the government will keep your tax refund and put it towards your debt. The bankruptcy court has 1 year to go back and open your case even after your bankruptcy has been discharged. If you can prove that the money is needed/used for catching up rent or other nessacery bills they will not take it.
As in all BKs, it becomes a part of your estate (to be divided among creditors). Delay your BK 'til after you blow your refund on babes, buds and beer.
Whether you are entitled to your tax refund will depend on what type of Chapter of bankruptcy you are filing and whether the bankruptcy exemptions can be used to protect the tax refund. If you are filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy then you can generally keep the refund if the available state bankruptcy exemptions provide protection for it. If you are in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy you are typically required to turn over the tax refunds during the life of the Chapter 13 case.
The judge may ask you what it was spent on. Necessities such as food, shelter, utilities etc. are acceptable and a usual answer. You did the right thing. Receive and spend the refund before filing bankruptcy, if possible. Of course, is not always possible due to the stress from pressure by creditors. You should weigh the relief bankruptcy provides against the amount of stress you can live with.
Usually not. Your bankruptcy petition will ask you for information on whether or not you received a tax refund for the year prior, but they don't usually track you afterwards to find out if you got a refund after your discharge. You are applying for a clean financial slate, and taking away your refund would negate that purpose. If in doubt, check with your bankruptcy attorney for more clarification.