A wage garnishment (technically a wage levy) lets the IRS legally require your employer to send a large portion of your paycheck directly to the government until your tax debt is paid or the levy is released. Unlike most creditors, the IRS does not need a court order, and the amount it leaves you is based on a bare-minimum exemption table — often a fraction of your normal pay.
How to stop an IRS wage garnishment
A garnishment is a symptom of an unresolved balance, so the fastest releases come from addressing the underlying debt. We typically secure a release by:
- Proving the garnishment is causing economic hardship (you cannot meet basic living expenses);
- Setting up an installment agreement the IRS will accept in exchange for releasing the levy;
- Filing any missing returns that triggered the enforcement;
- Submitting an Offer in Compromise or requesting Currently Not Collectible status where appropriate.
Act quickly
Once your employer receives the levy notice, the next paycheck can be affected. The sooner a representative contacts the IRS, the sooner we can request a release. Learn more at IRS — Information About Wage Levies.
Why representation matters here
IRS revenue officers respond to specific financial documentation presented the right way. Our enrolled agents know exactly what proof of hardship the IRS requires and how to package an alternative the IRS will accept, which is why we can often secure a release far faster than a taxpayer acting alone.
Stop the garnishment. Keep your paycheck.
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