Enlarge By Jeff Fusco, Getty Images So far, 1.8 million rebate checks have been intercepted by Treasury Department computers showing that individuals owe money to federal or state governments. TAX HELP TAX HELP Find more tax advice and the latest stories from USA TODAY's personal finance reporters and columnists. DON'T MISS ANY PERSONAL FINANCE COVERAGE DON'T MISS ANY PERSONAL FINANCE COVERAGE Sign up for USA TODAY's Personal Finance e-mail newsletter. Every Friday, you'll get a week's worth of USA TODAY's personal finance news and columns. The experienced columnists and reporters at USA TODAY give you the news you need and advice you trust. SIGN UP NOW. IT'S FREE About $2 billion in economic stimulus rebate checks are being confiscated to pay overdue bills for child support, student loans and back taxes, the government says. So far, 1.8 million rebate checks have been intercepted by Treasury Department computers showing that individuals owe money to federal or state governments. The biggest beneficiaries: parents who are owed child support. USING YOUR REBATE: What's good for you vs. U.S. economy? The Internal Revenue Service has mailed 77 million checks worth $64 billion — a little more than half the expected total. "It's a nice bonus for the children and families in need," says Mike Adams, head of child support at the Tennessee Department of Human Services. His state has received $8.5 million of $20 million expected for unpaid child support. The large take for unpaid debts is the result of an increasingly sophisticated debt-collection program started in 2001. Today, most states and federal agencies send weekly lists of delinquent Americans to the Treasury Department. Before a rebate is mailed, it's run through a list that contains the names and Social Security numbers of people who owe money. "We've had a few complaints but not many," says Dean Balamaci, director of debt collections at the Treasury Department. "We're proud that we're sending money back to families who need it." So far, nearly $1 billion has been collected. Where it has gone: • 55% for child support. • 39% for federal debts such as student loans or farm loans. • 6% for unpaid state taxes. Taxpayers denied their rebate get letters explaining why they got a reduced payment or none at all. The diverted money is sent directly to the family or government agency to which it was owed. A few states, however, are losing out on millions of dollars available through the program. Michigan doesn't get its delinquent state taxes collected, Balamaci says. The reason: It hires private contractors to collect back taxes. Also, Mississippi hasn't joined yet, and California doesn't submit the names of income tax debtors. So while Maryland has collected $6 million from rebate checks for unpaid state income taxes, California has received nothing. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more