Levy

An IRS levy permits the legal seizure of your property to satisfy a tax debt. It can garnish wages, take money in your bank or other financial account, seize and sell your vehicle(s), real estate and other personal property.

If you receive an IRS bill titled Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to A Hearing, contact us right away.

If you receive an IRS notice of levy against your employee, vendor, customer or other third party, it is important that you comply with the levy.

The links below will help you understand more about IRS levies and provide answers to many levy questions.

What is a levy?

Basic information about IRS levies.

How do I avoid a levy?

Learn the steps to take to avoid an IRS levy.

How do I get a levy released?

If an IRS levy has been issued to your employer, bank or other party, learn the steps to take to get the levy released.

What if a levy is causing a hardship?

An IRS levy may be released if it is causing an immediate economic hardship, or, it has been issued in error.

What if I get a levy against one of my employees, vendors, customers or other third parties?

Employers, financial institutions, and others may receive an IRS levy. This page has information to help you comply with the levy.

Information about wage levies

Wage levies are continuous and a portion of your wages is exempt from levy. Learn more about wage levies here.

Information about bank levies

If the IRS levies your bank, funds in the account are held and after 21 days sent to the IRS. Learn more about bank and similar levies here.

What’s the difference between a levy and lien?

A levy is different from a lien. Learn about the difference here.

What happens after my property is seized and how do I get it back?

Learn what actions the IRS takes after seizing your property and the steps to take to get the seizure released.

Selling your property

Find out IRS requirements for posting of public notices for pending sales.

Redeeming your real estate

Find out about IRS redemption.

Federal and state levy programs

If your federal payments, state income tax refund, or Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend have been levied, this section will give you information on who to call and what to do to resolve the problem.

Depositaries requested to adhere to levy compliance rules

The IRS is asking depositaries (banks, credit unions, savings and loans, and similar institutions) to review and understand the responsibilities associated with processing levies.