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Collection Actions
Wage Garnishment
When the IRS requires your employer to withhold a portion of your wages to pay your tax debt.
Full Definition
Wage garnishment (also called wage levy) is when the IRS directs your employer to send a portion of your paycheck directly to the IRS to pay down your tax debt. Unlike other creditors who are limited to garnishing 25% of disposable income, the IRS can take significantly more. The amount exempt from levy is based on your filing status and number of dependents. Wage garnishment continues until the debt is paid, you enter into an alternative payment arrangement, or the levy is released.
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