State gets $3 million from debtors’ stimulus checks

KANSAS CITY — Missouri is getting a little help from the federal economic stimulus package.

Director of Revenue Omar Davis said that through June 3, the state had intercepted almost $3 million in stimulus checks that were headed to people who owe back taxes to the state.

The money has been grabbed by the Treasury Offset Program, which acts as a bill collector for Missouri tax officials. Davis said the program intercepts federal income-tax returns and redirects the money to the state that is owed the money.

But does the program lessen the impact of an federal initiative designed to boost the economy by giving consumers money to spend?

Davis said no one would suggest that debts remain unpaid, and that “We’re just getting the money we should have received anyway.”