Understanding IRS Wage Garnishments: What You Need to Know and How to Stop Them

When you receive a notice from the IRS about a wage garnishment, it can feel like the ground has dropped out from under you. As someone who has spent nearly 20 years resolving tax problems for individuals and businesses, I’ve seen the anxiety, frustration, and fear these notices can cause. The good news? A wage garnishment is absolutely resolvable—and often much sooner than clients expect.

Below, I’ll walk you through what an IRS wage garnishment is, why it happens, what you can expect, and the steps we take at Francetic Tax Resolution to stop the garnishment and get you back on solid financial ground.

What Is an IRS Wage Garnishment?

An IRS wage garnishment—also called a wage levy—occurs when the IRS takes a portion of your paycheck to collect back taxes. Unlike other creditors, the IRS does not need a court order. Once they issue a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and give you an opportunity for a hearing, they can legally contact your employer and require them to send part of your wages directly to the government.

This continues every pay period until the tax balance is resolved or arrangements are made.

How Much Can the IRS Take?

The IRS doesn’t use a flat percentage. Instead, they calculate how much of your income is exempt based on:

• Filing status

• Number of dependents

• Pay frequency

Everything above that exempt amount is garnished.
For many taxpayers, this results in losing 50–80% of their take-home pay—sometimes more.

A wage garnishment can leave you without enough to cover essentials like rent, food, and utilities. That’s why taking action quickly is critical.

Why Does the IRS Garnish Wages?

A wage garnishment typically happens after:

1. Several notices are mailed and ignored or not received
2. Tax returns have not been filed
3. Back taxes remain unpaid
4. You failed to respond to earlier IRS requests

Most people don’t get into tax trouble on purpose. Life gets complicated—medical issues, job changes, divorce, business failures. I’ve seen every scenario imaginable. The key is addressing the problem rather than hoping it will go away.

How Long Does a Wage Garnishment Last?

Unless you take action, a wage garnishment continues until the tax debt is fully paid or the IRS agrees to release it due to a formal resolution. Employers cannot stop the garnishment on their own—they are required by law to comply.

How We Stop IRS Wage Garnishments

At Francetic Tax Resolution, I personally handle wage levy cases from start to finish. The steps usually look like this:

1. Immediate Contact With the IRS

The moment you hire me, I step in between you and the IRS.
My first goal: pause or release the garnishment as quickly as possible.

2. Compliance Review

The IRS will not negotiate with taxpayers who are not current. I make sure:

• All required tax returns are filed

• Withholding or estimated tax payments are corrected

• Your account is fully updated

This is often the key to getting the levy released.

3. Determine the Best Resolution Strategy

Depending on your situation, we may pursue:

• Installment agreement (payment plan)

• Offer in Compromise (possible settlement for less than owed)

• Currently Not Collectible status

• Penalty abatement

• Innocent spouse relief

• Business payroll tax resolutions

Each case is different, and after nearly two decades of representing clients, I know how to match the right strategy to the IRS’s expectations.

4. Secure the Levy Release

Once compliance and a resolution plan are in place, I negotiate directly with the IRS to have the wage garnishment removed—sometimes within days.

What You Should Do If You Receive a Garnishment Notice

If you’ve received a wage levy notice or your employer has already begun garnishing your pay:

1. Do not ignore it—time is critical.
2. Do not call the IRS alone—one wrong statement can make matters worse.
3. Gather your recent paystubs and IRS letters.
4. Contact a licensed tax professional immediately.

I provide monthly updates and respond to all calls and emails within 24 hours. You’ll never wonder what’s happening with your case.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

An IRS wage garnishment may feel overwhelming, but it is fixable—and in most cases, we can get it released far faster than clients expect. When you work with Francetic Tax Resolution, you get direct, personal representation from an experienced Enrolled Agent who handles your case from start to finish.

If you’re facing a wage garnishment or worried one is coming, reach out today