2015 US Code
Title 31 - Money and Finance (Sections 101 - 9705)
Subtitle III - Financial Management (Sections 3101 - 3907)
Chapter 37 - Claims (Sections 3701 - 3733)
Subchapter II - Claims of the United States Government (Sections 3711 - 3720E)
Sec. 3713 - Priority of Government claims

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Metadata
Publication TitleUnited States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 31 - MONEY AND FINANCE
CategoryBills and Statutes
CollectionUnited States Code
SuDoc Class NumberY 1.2/5:
Contained WithinTitle 31 - MONEY AND FINANCE
SUBTITLE III - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 37 - CLAIMS
SUBCHAPTER II - CLAIMS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Sec. 3713 - Priority of Government claims
Containssection 3713
Date2015
Laws In Effect As Of DateJanuary 3, 2016
Positive LawYes
Dispositionstandard
Source CreditPub. L. 97-258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 972.
Statutes at Large References48 Stat. 760
92 Stat. 2678, 2679
96 Stat. 972
Public and Private LawsPublic Law 95-598, Public Law 97-258

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31 U.S.C. § 3713 (2015)
§3713. Priority of Government claims

(a)(1) A claim of the United States Government shall be paid first when—

(A) a person indebted to the Government is insolvent and—

(i) the debtor without enough property to pay all debts makes a voluntary assignment of property;

(ii) property of the debtor, if absent, is attached; or

(iii) an act of bankruptcy is committed; or


(B) the estate of a deceased debtor, in the custody of the executor or administrator, is not enough to pay all debts of the debtor.


(2) This subsection does not apply to a case under title 11.

(b) A representative of a person or an estate (except a trustee acting under title 11) paying any part of a debt of the person or estate before paying a claim of the Government is liable to the extent of the payment for unpaid claims of the Government.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 972.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
3713(a) 31:191. R.S. §3466; Nov. 6, 1978, Pub. L. 95–598, §322(a), 92 Stat. 2678.
3713(b) 31:192. R.S. §3467; restated May 10, 1934, ch. 277, §518(a), 48 Stat. 760; Nov. 6, 1978, Pub. L. 95–598, §322(b), 92 Stat. 2679.

In the section, the word "claim" is substituted for "debts" for consistency. The word "due" is omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (a)(1), before clause (A), the word "paid" is substituted for "satisfied" for consistency. In clause (A)(i), the words "and the priority established shall extend as well to cases in which" are omitted because of the restatement. In clause (A)(ii), the word "property" is substituted for "estate and effects" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "absconding, concealed, or" and "by process of law" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (a)(2), the words "The priority established under . . . however" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b), the words "A representative of a person or an estate" are substituted for "executor, administrator, or assignee, or other" for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "for whom or for which he acts", "satisfies and", and "from such person or estate" are omitted as surplus. The word "liable" is substituted for "answerable in his own person and estate" for consistency.

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