A sudden drop in your paycheck is stressful enough — but when it’s because the IRS has started taking part of your wages, it’s time to act fast. The good news is, you have options to stop it before things get worse.
How IRS Wage Garnishment Works
When you owe back taxes and don’t respond to notices, the IRS can contact your employer and order them to withhold part of your paycheck each pay period. This is called a wage garnishment or levy, and it continues until the debt is paid or another arrangement is approved.
Before garnishing wages, the IRS must send a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and allow 30 days to respond. That’s your best opportunity to stop it.
How to Stop Wage Garnishment
There are several ways to protect your income:
- Set Up a Payment Plan: Establishing an installment agreement stops most active garnishments.
- Request Hardship Status: If the levy causes financial strain, the IRS can pause collections.
- Submit an Offer in Compromise: Settle for less than you owe if eligible.
- Appeal or Challenge the Levy: If the IRS made a mistake, you can formally contest it.
How Tax Fighters Can Help
At Tax Fighters, we help taxpayers across Albany, Saratoga, and the Capital Region stop garnishments, negotiate repayment terms, and resolve tax debt efficiently. Our goal is simple: protect your income and get the IRS off your back.
