2016 US Code
Title 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

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Citation 31 U.S.C. § 3713 (2016)
Section Name §3713. Priority of Government claims
Section Text

(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.

Source Credit

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

Editorial Notes
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.

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 4, Title 31 - MONEY AND FINANCE
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 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
Contains section 3713
Date 2016
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 6, 2017
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 48 Stat. 760
92 Stat. 2678, 2679
96 Stat. 972
Public Law References Public Law 95-598, Public Law 97-258
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