Can You Remove A Tax Levy Or Stop A Bank Levy?

If you’ve received a notice that the IRS or state is about to seize your bank account or garnish your wages, you’re not alone. Many individuals face the intimidating and often financially devastating consequences of tax levies.

The good news is that there are proven strategies for levy removals, and in many cases, you can prevent a bank levy from causing severe damage. Whether you’ve already been hit with one or you’re trying to avoid it, understanding the levy removal process is the first step toward protecting your income and assets.

What Is a Tax Levy and How Does It Work?

A tax levy is one of the most aggressive tools used by the IRS or state taxing authorities to collect unpaid taxes. It’s a legal seizure of your property to satisfy a tax debt. This can take several forms: your bank account may be frozen and funds withdrawn, your wages may be garnished before you even receive them, or other assets, such as cars or real estate, can be seized.

In the case of a bank levy, the IRS contacts your financial institution and places a hold on the funds in your account. After 21 days, those funds can be withdrawn and sent to the IRS unless action is taken. A wage levy, on the other hand, can be ongoing, deducting money from each paycheck until your debt is paid or another resolution is reached.

Stopping a bank levy is possible before it takes effect, but it also requires immediate and proactive steps.

Why You Might Be Facing a Levy

Levy actions usually don’t come out of nowhere. Before a tax levy is issued, the IRS typically sends multiple notices. These include a tax bill, a Notice of Intent to Levy, and a final warning, which gives you time to resolve the issue. Ignoring these notices or failing to communicate with the IRS is what often triggers the levy.

Common reasons taxpayers find themselves in this situation include failing to file tax returns, underreporting income, or simply not being able to afford their tax bills. Once the IRS determines that you are not responding or paying, they move forward with collection efforts, including levy enforcement.

How to Stop a Bank Levy Before It Hits

If you’ve received a final notice of intent to levy, time is of the essence. You generally have 30 days from the date of the notice to take action. During this window, several options may be available to halt the levy before it begins.

The first and most immediate option is to contact the IRS and request a hold on collection activities. This gives you time to explore your alternatives and present a case for financial hardship or negotiate a resolution.

One common strategy for stopping a levy is entering into an installment agreement, which allows you to pay your debt over time. The IRS may also consider placing your account in Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status if you can prove that collection would create a significant financial burden. Another option is to file for an Offer in Compromise, which allows you to settle your debt for less than the full amount owed.

Regardless of the method, it is essential to take action before the 30-day deadline expires. After that, reversing the levy becomes significantly more difficult.

Is It Possible to Remove an Existing Levy?

Yes, levy removal is possible, but it depends on the specifics of your case. If the IRS has already issued a bank levy and your account is frozen, you still have a chance to recover your funds, but it requires quick action.

First, you must contact the IRS and explain your situation. If you can demonstrate that the levy is causing undue financial hardship, they may agree to release it. For example, if the levy has left you unable to pay rent, buy groceries, or meet other basic living expenses, that can form the basis of your appeal.

You can also request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing if you believe the levy was issued in error or if you weren’t given proper notice. This is a formal process that allows you to present your case and potentially have the levy lifted.

If the levy was imposed despite your efforts to comply or negotiate in good faith, you may also be able to argue for its removal on procedural grounds.

Understanding the Timeline and Consequences

Bank levies are especially time-sensitive. Once the IRS issues the levy notice to your bank, the institution must hold your funds for 21 days. During this period, the funds are frozen and cannot be accessed. If no resolution is reached within this timeframe, the money is sent to the IRS and is essentially lost.

This creates urgency for anyone hoping to achieve levy removal. Wage levies, in contrast, do not involve a one-time seizure; instead, they redirect a portion of each paycheck to the IRS. These issues can persist indefinitely unless resolved.

In both cases, having a tax professional involved can make a significant difference. They can ensure that forms are submitted correctly, that negotiations are handled effectively, and that your rights as a taxpayer are protected.

Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing with a Levy

One of the biggest mistakes people make is ignoring the notices and hoping the problem will go away. Tax levies don’t resolve themselves, and delay only reduces your available options. Another mistake is contacting the IRS unprepared. Without a clear strategy or the proper documentation, you may not be taken seriously or could agree to unfavorable terms.

Relying solely on automated advice or generic online solutions can also backfire. Every case is different, and the IRS assesses each one based on specific financial information. A solution that worked for someone else might not be appropriate in your situation.

Lastly, it’s critical to remain compliant with your tax filings going forward. Even after a levy is removed, future noncompliance can trigger another one, potentially with fewer warning signs.

When Professional Help Becomes Essential

Navigating the world of IRS collections is not easy, especially when you’re under financial stress and emotional pressure. That’s why working with experienced professionals can be the turning point in your case.

A seasoned tax resolution team can analyze your financial situation, help you communicate effectively with the IRS, and put together a plan that works in your favor. They’ll also ensure that all forms are filed correctly and deadlines are met so that your efforts to stop or remove a levy are not wasted.

If you’re facing a levy or worried one might be coming, don’t wait until the IRS takes control of your paycheck or drains your bank account.