Ga. withholds federal stimulus checks for back state taxes

ATLANTA - The state has intercepted 16,000 federal stimulus checks of Georgians who allegedly owe back state taxes.

The Georgia Department of Revenue says it has collected $4.66 million that way through the end of May, second only to New York, which has collected $4.71 million.

Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham says he knew there would be some money coming in but he is ``surprised by the number.''

The state began participating almost five years ago in the federal ``offset'' system, which allows it to get federal tax refunds if a Georgian owes back state income taxes. Overall, Graham said the state has collected $122.2 million in back taxes that way.