Negotiate or Stop IRS Wage Garnishment
IRS wage garnishment can be an extended drain on your income. The Wiggam Law tax attorneys understand the law and policy that surrounds wage garnishment, as well as options available to avoid, negotiate or stop wage garnishment.
What Is IRS Wage Garnishment?
When you cannot pay the tax liabilities owed, the IRS can enforce wage garnishment in order to settle the tax debt. If you owe federal back taxes, the IRS may levy your assets, including your wages, to pay off some or all of your tax debt.
When Does the IRS Garnish Wages?
In order to start wage garnishment, the IRS must first meet four requirements:
- The IRS sends a Notice and Demand for Payment (a tax bill).
- You decide to neglect or refuse to pay the tax.
- The IRS sends a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to A Hearing (levy notice) at least 30 days before the levy.
The IRS can only issue wage garnishment, or a levy, after these four requirements have been met.
What Are Your Rights When It Comes to Wage Garnishment?
The IRS evaluates each case and garnishes wages based on individual circumstances. Generally, up to 90% of a taxpayer’s paycheck is subject to levy.
The exempt amount is often determined by the employer and is based on federal income tax information from the taxpayer. The IRS orders the employer to withhold a specific amount from each paycheck and send it directly to them as payment for tax debt.
If the taxpayer is an independent contractor, self-employed, or a small business owner, the IRS often levies 100% of the account receivable.
How to Stop IRS Wage Garnishment
When wage garnishment is ordered it will subtract from every paycheck until the tax debt is paid in full. Other options to stop IRS wage garnishment:
- Explain Immediate Economic Hardship
- Challenge the Tax Assessment
- Agree to a Payment Plan With the IRS
- Negotiate Currently Not Collectible Status
- Submit Offer in Compromise
Our tax attorneys at Wiggam Law will represent you in your case against IRS wage garnishment. We use proven strategies that help our clients avoid, negotiate and/or stop wage garnishment, such as helping our clients negotiate an installment agreement or an Offer In Compromise.
Taxpayers have several options, but sometimes don’t know what those options are for their unique circumstance. Wiggam Law tax attorneys have the knowledge and experience to match clients to the appropriate option.
Wage Garnishment Success Story
$15,000 Refund
Before we were hired, the IRS had been garnishing our client for three years. We removed the garnishment and submitted a Request for Innocent Spouse Relief. The client’s entire liability was removed, and they received a $15,000 refund covering the majority of the garnished wages.
Contact Our Tax Attorneys in Atlanta, GA
The Wiggam Law tax attorneys use their professional knowledge and experience to guide taxpayers through the wage garnishment and tax levy process. We help our clients understand their rights and represent them in negotiations to avoid or stop wage garnishment.