How to collect unpaid child support in Massachusetts

The agency's collection tools, what federal law adds, and a ready letter to ask for enforcement.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Arrears means child support that is past due. In cases where DOR provides full services and the order is from a Massachusetts court, DOR charges interest of 0.5% a month and a penalty of 0.5% a month on past-due support when you owe more than $500, unless you made the minimum monthly payment that month.

License suspension
DOR can move to suspend driver's, professional and recreational licenses when total past-due support and interest (not counting penalties) on all your cases is $50 or more and no payment has been made for the prior 8 weeks in a row (OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide, Massachusetts profile; G.L. c.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

What the agency can do in Massachusetts

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it:

  • Income withholding
  • State and federal tax refund intercept
  • Passport denial
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Liens, levies and seizure of property
  • Bank account seizure
  • Interception of unemployment, workers' compensation, insurance settlements and lottery winnings
  • Driver's, professional and recreational license suspension
  • Contempt, capias and warrants

Law: G.L. c. 119A, §§6, 16

Ask the agency in writing to collect what is owed: Ask the agency to collect unpaid support

Interest on unpaid support in Massachusetts

In cases where DOR provides full services and the order is from a Massachusetts court, DOR charges interest of 0.5% a month and a penalty of 0.5% a month on past-due support when you owe more than $500, unless you made the minimum monthly payment that month. Exemptions exist (for example, needs-based benefits or a disability that prevents work).

Law: G.L. c. 119A, §6; 830 CMR 119A.6.1

Licenses in Massachusetts

DOR can move to suspend driver's, professional and recreational licenses when total past-due support and interest (not counting penalties) on all your cases is $50 or more and no payment has been made for the prior 8 weeks in a row.

Law: G.L. c. 119A, §16

Source: OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide, Massachusetts profile

Federal collection tools

  • Tax refunds. The federal government can take a federal tax refund to pay past-due child support. Law: 42 U.S.C. 664
  • Passports. A parent who owes more than $2,500 in past-due support can be refused a passport. Law: 42 U.S.C. 652(k)
  • Pay withholding limit. For support, up to 50% of take-home pay can be withheld if the parent supports another spouse or child, or 60% if not. It is 55% or 65% when support is more than 12 weeks behind. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)
  • Past-due support. Each unpaid payment becomes a judgment on the day it is due. It can't be lowered later, except back to the date the other parent got notice of a request to change the order. Law: 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9)

When the court steps in, in Massachusetts

DOR or the other parent can bring a contempt case in the Probate and Family Court.

In nearby states

Steps to collect support in Massachusetts

  1. Track what was paid

    Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.

  2. Contact the agency

    If you don't have a case yet, open one with Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR), Child Support Services Division ((800) 332-2733) · Apply online

  3. Tell the agency about income

    The other parent's job, address or bank helps the agency collect.

  4. Check the balance

    Request a written statement of what is owed.

  5. Ask for free help

    Legal aid can help for free: MassLegalHelp.

Where to get free help in Massachusetts

Questions about unpaid support in Massachusetts

How is unpaid child support collected in Massachusetts?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; State and federal tax refund intercept; Passport denial; Credit bureau reporting; Liens, levies and seizure of property; Bank account seizure; Interception of unemployment, workers' compensation, insurance settlements and lottery winnings; Driver's, professional and recreational license suspension; Contempt, capias and warrants.

Can a license be suspended for unpaid child support in Massachusetts?

DOR can move to suspend driver's, professional and recreational licenses when total past-due support and interest (not counting penalties) on all your cases is $50 or more and no payment has been made for the prior 8 weeks in a row.

Can a parent go to jail for unpaid support in Massachusetts?

DOR or the other parent can bring a contempt case in the Probate and Family Court.

Is there interest on unpaid child support in Massachusetts?

In cases where DOR provides full services and the order is from a Massachusetts court, DOR charges interest of 0.5% a month and a penalty of 0.5% a month on past-due support when you owe more than $500, unless you made the minimum monthly payment that month. Exemptions exist (for example, needs-based benefits or a disability that prevents work).

Related Massachusetts pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources