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Published:   |   Last Updated: November 19, 2024

Collection Station — Collection Actions

  • Levy/Seizure of Assets

Where am I on the Roadmap?

Overview

The IRS assessed the tax and sent you a bill reflecting a balance on your tax account. However, you neglected or refused to pay the tax. A notice of intent to levy was sent to you previously letting you know how much you owe, when it was due, how to pay and that you have the right to appeal this action. Since the IRS did not hear from you it is continuing with its collection process.

The IRS can levy or seize a taxpayers wages and other income, bank accounts, business assets, personal assets (including your car and home), retirement accounts (including the Thrift Savings Plan), Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends, state tax refunds, and Social Security benefits up to the amount the taxpayer owes.

I need more information

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What does this mean to me?

If you have a tax debt, the IRS can issue a levy, which is a legal seizure of your property or assets. It is different from a lien — while a lien makes a claim to your assets as security for a tax debt, the levy takes your property (such as funds from a bank account, Social Security benefits, wages, your car, or your home).

The IRS is using a levy to satisfy a tax debt since you have not paid the balance owing or made other payment arrangements with the IRS.

Some levies have a “one-time” effect

Where the IRS takes an asset all at once. For example, a levy on your bank account takes only what is in the account at the time your bank receives the levy. The IRS must issue another levy to reach funds placed in your account later.

Other levies have a continuous effect

They remain in place until the IRS releases the levy or your debt is paid in full. For example: If you have a levy on your wages or certain federal payments, the levy will have a continuous effect.

The IRS can also use the Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP) to levy continuously on certain federal payments you receive, such as Social Security benefits. A TAS brochure, What You Need to Know: The Federal Payment Levy Program, can help you understand FPLP.

Other examples of assets the IRS might levy are your state tax refunds and payments you’re to receive from clients (accounts receivable). For specifics, see Levies on the TAS website.

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How did I get here?

The IRS is using a levy to satisfy a tax debt since you have not paid the balance owing or made other payment arrangements with the IRS.

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Verify the return address

The first thing to do is to check the return address to be sure it’s from the Internal Revenue Service and not another agency.


If it’s from the IRS, the notice of levy will have instructions on how to respond to the levy and who to contact. If the notice is not from the IRS, visit I Got a Notice From the IRS for further details.

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If you Disagree

If you disagree with the IRS that you owe the debt, you need to respond to the notice of levy and tell the IRS why you think you don’t owe the debt. You may be able to raise your arguments in a Collection Due Process (CDP) or Equivalent Hearing; or request an audit reconsideration. Please note that if you disagree with the IRS Independent Office of Appeals (Appeals) decision in the Equivalent Hearing, you have no right to judicial review by the United States Tax Court. See Publication 1660, Collection Appeal Rights and Publication 5, Your Appeal Rights and How to Prepare a Protest If You Don’t Agree, for more information.

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If you want to pay your tax debt a different way

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If the levy is creating a hardship

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You may appeal many IRS collection actions to Appeals.

Appeals is separate from and independent of the IRS Collection office that initiated the collection action. You can also ask that the IRS manager review your case informally. You can obtain the manager’s name and phone number by contacting the employee listed on your notice. IRS employees are required to give you their manager’s name and phone number. For specifics, see Levies on the TAS website and Levy Relief on the TAS Roadmap. See Publication 594, The IRS Collection Process, and Publication 1660 for a full explanation of how to appeal a collection action.


Note: For each tax and period, the IRS is generally required to notify you before the first time it collects or intends to levy and will send you a Notice of Your Right to a Collection Due Process Hearing (CDP).

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Additional Information

If the tax being levied stems from the filing of a joint return and you believe your current or former spouse should be solely responsible for an incorrect item or an underpayment of tax on the return, you may be eligible for relief as an Innocent Spouse.

If you believe you have an acceptable reason for interest or a penalty to be removed or reduced, you may complete Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement or send a signed statement to the IRS explaining your reasons. For specific instructions, see Notice 746, Information About Your Notice, Penalty, and Interest.

General Resources

Understanding your notice or letter

Get Help topics

Browse common tax issues and situations at TAS Get Help

If you still need help

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS. TAS helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS, makes administrative and legislative recommendations to prevent or correct the problems, and protects taxpayer rights. TAS helps all taxpayers (and their representatives), including individuals, businesses, and exempt organizations. You may be eligible for free TAS help if your IRS problem is causing financial difficulty, if you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or if you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should.

TAS has offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To find your local advocate’s number:

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) assist individuals whose income is below a certain level who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. They also provide education, outreach, and information on taxpayer rights to individuals who speak English as a second language. LITCs represent taxpayers in disputes before the IRS and courts and help taxpayers respond to IRS notices and correct account problems. Services are offered for free or a small fee. LITCs are independent from the IRS and TAS. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC Page or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. You can also request Pub. 4134 by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

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Let us help you navigate your way through the IRS. Visit our interactive tax map to see where you are in the tax process.

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Did you know there is a Taxpayer Bill of Rights?

The taxpayer Bill of Rights is grouped into 10 easy to understand categories outlining the taxpayer rights and protections embedded in the tax code.

It is also what guides the advocacy work we do for taxpayers.

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