The city of Brookhaven will soon be able to tap into tax returns to cover outstanding water bills.

City attorney Joe Fernald told the Board of Aldermen Tuesday that the federal government is now allowing tax setoffs that will allow municipalities to take tax money to cover past-due water bills.

“We can get some money collected for this. I don’t know if it’s applicable to businesses or just individuals,” Fernald said. “The bill has been passed and is in effect now. This is a collection remedy.”

Mayor Joe Cox said the city’s approval to take this step would help eliminate some write-offs.

The board approved 5-0 for Fernald to move ahead in starting the process to put the collection efforts into effect.