Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

Yes it is possible to have the amount owed for defaulted student loans taken from the tax refund. Your husband might not remember having signed for the student loans but most likely he did and forgot and also received the money which could have been paid directly to the school for tuition. If he did not sign for the loans and did not receive the money, directly or indirectly, then he might not owe the money at all.