IRS Wage Garnishments

Wage Garnishments issued by the IRS are an incredibly stressful experience that can completely disable your household finances. Receiving an IRS notice that your paycheck is about to be seized means that after several attempts to contact you regarding back taxes, the government can legally instruct your employer to withhold up to 75% of your take-home pay. An active tax levy or payroll collection action will continue indefinitely until alternative arrangements are made to resolve the liability or the debt is paid in full.

Many taxpayers assume they must immediately hire an expensive tax attorney or lawyer to stop aggressive collections—but you don’t. At Total Tax Solutions, we act quickly to stop wage garnishments, protect your income, and negotiate a permanent tax relief settlement.

How Does an IRS Wage Garnishment Work?

Unlike standard commercial creditors, the IRS does not need a court order to garnish your wages. If you have outstanding back taxes, the government will send a series of automated warning letters, culminating in a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing.

If these notices are ignored, the IRS sends Form 668-W directly to your company’s payroll department. Your employer is legally required to comply, leaving you with only a small, standard exempt amount to cover basic living expenses.

Steps to Release a Levy and Stop Garnishments

The fastest way to get your paycheck back is to prove to the IRS that you are actively working toward a resolution. Our experienced tax professionals secure a wage garnishment release by utilizing several proven strategies:

* **Establishing an Installment Agreement:** We negotiate a monthly payment plan that fits your actual budget, which prompts the IRS to immediately lift the active levy.
* **Submitting an Offer in Compromise:** If you cannot afford to pay the full debt, we can file a settlement proposal to wipe out your tax liability for a fraction of what you owe.
* **Proving Financial Hardship:** If paying the tax balance prevents you from affording basic necessities like housing and food, we can request a temporary freeze under “Currently Not Collectible” status.

The Path to Reclaiming Your Paycheck

When you partner with us to handle an active tax levy, we follow a rapid three-step protection framework:

1. **Immediate Intervention:** We contact the IRS directly to pull your account transcripts, establish a temporary hold on aggressive collections, and verify the exact amount owed.
2. **Bringing You Into Compliance:** The IRS will not release a garnishment permanently if you have unfiled tax returns. We quickly prepare and submit any missing paperwork.
3. **Formal Release Negotiation:** We submit the necessary financial proof to secure a formal release, giving your employer the paperwork required to stop taking money from your check.

### Frequently Asked Questions About Paycheck Levies

**How long does it take to release a wage garnishment?**
Once we negotiate an acceptable resolution framework with the IRS, they will typically fax a release form directly to your employer within 24 to 48 hours, immediately stopping future deductions.

**Can my employer fire me over an IRS wage garnishment?**
Federal law prohibits employers from firing an employee because their wages are being garnished for a single tax liability or debt. However, you remain unprotected if you incur multiple independent garnishments over time.

### Stop the IRS From Seizing Your Hard-Earned Money
Don’t let tax debt dictate your lifestyle or strip away your financial stability. If your paycheck is currently being targeted, contact Total Tax Solutions today for a comprehensive evaluation, and let our expert team stop your wage garnishment once and for all. We are ready to fight for your paycheck.