§ 498.128 Collection of penalty and assessment.

(a) Once a determination has become final, collection of any penalty and assessment, as applicable, will be the responsibility of the Commissioner or his or her designee. (b) In cases brought under section 1129 of the Social Security Act, a penalty and assessment, as applicable, imposed under this part may be compromised by the Commissioner or his or her designee and may be recovered in a civil action brought in the United States District Court for the district where the violation occurred or where the respondent resides. (c) In cases brought under section 1140 of the Social Security Act, a penalty imposed under this part may be compromised by the Commissioner or his or her designee and may be recovered in a civil action brought in the United States district court for the district where, as determined by the Commissioner, the: (1) Violations referred to in § 498.102(c) or (d) occurred; or (2) Respondent resides; or (3) Respondent has its principal office; or (4) Respondent may be found. (d) As specifically provided under the Social Security Act, in cases brought under section 1129 of the Social Security Act, the amount of a penalty and assessment, as applicable, when finally determined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, may also be deducted from: (1) Monthly title II, title VIII, or title XVI payments, notwithstanding section 207 of the Social Security Act as made applicable to title XVI by section 1631(d)(1) of the Social Security Act; (2) A tax refund to which a person is entitled to after notice to the Secretary of the Treasury under 31 U.S.C. § 3720A; (3) By authorities provided under the Debt Collection Act of 1982, as amended, 31 U.S.C. 3711, to the extent applicable to debts arising under the Social Security Act; or (4) Any combination of the foregoing. (e) Matters that were raised or that could have been raised in a hearing before an administrative law judge or in an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals under sections 1129 or 1140 of the Social Security Act may not be raised as a defense in a civil action by the United States to collect a penalty and assessment, as applicable, under this part.