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Title 31, Money and FinanceRelease 119-110

§3334 Cancellation and Proceeds Distribution of Treasury Checks

Title 31 › SUBTITLE III — FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT › CHAPTER 33 — DEPOSITING, KEEPING, AND PAYING MONEY › SUBCHAPTER II — PAYMENTS › § 3334

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must send each agency a monthly list of that agency’s Treasury checks that went unpaid and became over 12 months old during the previous month. The lists start in the 14th month after the law takes effect. The Secretary must cancel those old checks and return the money to the same agency and account that paid them. Within 18 months after the law takes effect, the Secretary must find and cancel unpaid checks issued before the law. Money from those cancels must first cover uncollectible receivables and Treasury costs for handling checks; any leftover goes to the Treasury’s miscellaneous receipts. Canceling a check does not remove the government’s original payment obligation.

Full Legal Text

Title 31, §3334

Money and Finance, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In General.—
(1)The Secretary shall provide monthly to each agency that authorizes the issuance of Treasury checks a list of those checks issued for such agency on or after such effective date that have not been paid and have become more than 12 months old during the preceding month, beginning with the fourteenth month following the effective date of this section.
(2)Such checks shall be canceled by the Secretary and the proceeds thereof shall be returned to the agency concerned and credited to the appropriation or fund account initially charged for the payment.
(b)Checks Issued Before Effective Date.—
(1)Not later than 18 months after the effective date of this section, the Secretary shall identify and cancel all Treasury checks issued before such effective date that have not been paid in accordance with section 3328 of this title.
(2)The proceeds from checks canceled pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be applied to eliminate the balances in accounts that represent uncollectible accounts receivable and other costs associated with the payment of checks and check claims by the Department of the Treasury on behalf of all payment certifying agencies. Any remaining proceeds shall be deposited to the miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury.
(c)No Effect on Underlying Obligation.—
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the underlying obligation of the United States, or any agency thereof, for which a Treasury check was issued.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Such

Effective Date

, and the

Effective Date

of this section, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(1), is 6 months after Aug. 10, 1987, or on such later date as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe in

Regulations

. See

Effective Date

note below.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 6 months after Aug. 10, 1987, or on such later date as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe in

Regulations

, see section 1006 of Pub. L. 100–86, set out as an

Effective Date

of 1987 Amendment note under section 3328 of this title.

Regulations

For provision permitting Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe rules,

Regulations

, and procedures as necessary to implement this section, including recertification of Treasury checks which have been canceled or for which a claim has been asserted or barred, see section 1005 of Pub. L. 100–86, set out as a note under section 3328 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

31 U.S.C. § 3334

Title 31, Money and Finance

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110