About

Our Mission

The mission of the Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery is to fairly and responsibly collect unpaid debt owed to the State of Louisiana and local government agencies, while providing clear information and reasonable options for people and businesses who owe money.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be a trusted and effective debt recovery program that helps Louisiana agencies collect unpaid debt fairly, efficiently, and lawfully — while providing clear information and respectful service to the public.

Who Is ODR?

ODR stands for the Office of Debt Recovery. We are part of the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Our job is to collect unpaid debt owed to Louisiana state agencies, parishes, cities, boards, and commissions. ODR was created by law in 2013 and is authorized under Louisiana law (La. R.S. 47:1676).

How Does ODR Work?

When an agency sends a debt to ODR, we collect it the same way we collect unpaid state taxes. Once a debt becomes final and is sent to ODR, we are responsible for recovering the amount owed using the tools allowed by law.

What Collection Tools Is ODR Allowed to Use?

Under Louisiana law, ODR is allowed to use the same collection tools used to collect unpaid state taxes. These tools include:

Tax Refund Offsets

If you are owed a Louisiana state tax refund, all or part of that refund may be taken to pay your debt.

Bank Account Levies

ODR may collect money directly from your bank account if a debt is not paid.

Wage Garnishments

ODR may take up to 25% of your disposable wages until the debt is paid.

Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM)

ODR may use bank data to locate accounts held by people who owe debt and collect funds as allowed by law.

License Suspension or Denial

Certain unpaid debts may result in the suspension or denial of a driver’s license or other state-issued licenses, as allowed by law.