Stop IRS Wage Garnishments & Bank Levies

The IRS can take a significant portion of your wages—often 70-80% of your disposable income. Unlike other creditors who are limited to 25%, the IRS calculates what they leave you based on filing status and dependents, then takes the rest.

For example, if you're single with no dependents, the IRS may leave you with only around $800-1,000 per month and garnish everything else. This makes it nearly impossible to pay rent, utilities, or other basic expenses.

In most cases, we can stop a wage garnishment within 24-48 hours by setting up an installment agreement or proving financial hardship. However, timelines vary based on your specific situation and which relief method we use.

Once we file the proper paperwork with the IRS, they issue a release to your employer, usually within 1-2 business days. Your next paycheck should be garnishment-free.

No. The IRS must send you several notices before garnishing your wages, including:

• Notice and Demand for Payment (first bill)
• Final Notice of Intent to Levy (30 days before garnishment)
• Notice of Your Right to a Hearing

Many people ignore these notices thinking they'll "deal with it later," but once the 30-day window passes, the IRS can start garnishing immediately. If you've received any of these notices, call us immediately to prevent garnishment.

A bank levy is when the IRS freezes and seizes funds directly from your bank account. Unlike wage garnishment (which is ongoing), a bank levy is a one-time seizure of whatever funds are in your account at the time.

When the IRS issues a levy to your bank, the bank freezes your account for 21 days, then sends the funds to the IRS. During those 21 days, you have a window to negotiate a release—but you must act fast.

We can help release bank levies by setting up payment arrangements or proving the levy creates severe financial hardship.

Unfortunately, yes. When the IRS issues a wage garnishment, they send a notice directly to your employer's payroll department, who is legally required to comply. Your employer will know you owe back taxes.

However, federal law prohibits your employer from firing you solely because of one IRS wage garnishment. If you face multiple garnishments or state tax levies in addition to federal, you may not have the same protection.

This is why it's critical to stop the garnishment before it starts or get it released as quickly as possible to minimize embarrassment and potential employment issues.

Technically yes, but it's challenging and time-sensitive. You would need to:

• Contact the IRS immediately (long hold times)
• Negotiate a payment plan or prove hardship
• Complete complex financial disclosure forms correctly
• Know exactly which IRS office and agent to work with

Most people find the IRS overwhelming and make mistakes that delay relief. Our tax professionals have direct contacts at the IRS, know exactly what forms to file, and can typically release garnishments much faster than individuals attempting it alone. Plus, we handle all the stressful communication so you don't have to.

If you genuinely cannot afford to pay anything, we can request Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status. This tells the IRS that collecting from you would create economic hardship, and they temporarily stop all collection activities—including garnishments.

While in CNC status, interest and penalties continue to accrue, but the IRS won't actively pursue you. The status is reviewed periodically, and if your financial situation improves, you may need to start making payments.

Alternatively, we can explore an Offer in Compromise to settle your debt for far less than you owe—sometimes pennies on the dollar.