Levy Release
The IRS states a wage levy MUST be released where it causes immediate economic hardship, and a bank levy MAY be. The two verbs are different and both are the IRS's.
Full Definition
A levy release is the IRS lifting a levy already in force.
The IRS draws a distinction on hardship that is easy to read past, and it is a distinction between two verbs in consecutive sentences. Its words: "If the levy on your wages is creating an immediate economic hardship, the levy MUST be released. If the levy on your bank account or other account is creating an immediate economic hardship, the levy MAY be released."
Must, then may. This page does not soften that in either direction.
The IRS defines the trigger: "An economic hardship occurs when we have determined the levy prevents you from meeting basic, reasonable living expenses." Note whose determination that is.
It also states what a release is not: "A levy release does not mean you are exempt from paying the balance." The IRS states it will work with you to establish a payment plan or take other steps toward the balance.
One practical instruction the IRS gives, and it is the kind that saves days: have available the fax number of the employer, bank or other institution processing the levy, so the release can be sent quickly.
What to do next
Call the number on the levy or correspondence and be ready with financial information — the IRS states it will usually need it to determine hardship. Have the fax number of the employer or bank processing the levy to hand.
Sources
- What if a levy on my wages, bank or other account is causing a hardship? — Internal Revenue Service, retrieved 2026-08-21
- Information about wage levies — Internal Revenue Service, retrieved 2026-08-20
Last reviewed 2026-08-21 by Tax Resolution Clarity editorial.
Sourced to primary IRS materials and editorially reviewed. Not reviewed by a tax professional. Not tax advice.
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Where to go next
The IRS publishes the rules this page describes. Your own notice governs your dates.