Tax Levy
The legal seizure of property or assets to satisfy an unpaid tax debt.
Full Definition
A tax levy is the IRS's legal authority to seize and sell your property to satisfy a tax debt. Unlike a lien (which is a claim), a levy actually takes the property. The IRS can levy bank accounts, wages, Social Security benefits, retirement income, and other assets. Before levying, the IRS must send several notices and provide an opportunity to pay or make arrangements. Appeal rights depend on which notice you received — some notices carry a Collection Due Process right and a 30-day deadline and some do not, so check the title on your own notice rather than assuming.
What to do next
Check the notice or letter you actually received: the dates and instructions printed on it govern, not this page. The IRS page linked in Sources is the authority on the rule itself.
Sources
- Understanding a federal tax lien — Internal Revenue Service, retrieved 2026-08-20
Last reviewed 2026-08-20 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.