How to Stop an IRS Wage Garnishment (Even If It Already Started)

Rona Law Firm
12 minutes ago
2 min read

If the IRS has started garnishing your wages, your paycheck may already be smaller—and your stress level much higher. Many taxpayers believe that once a wage garnishment begins, there’s nothing they can do. That is not true.

In many cases, an IRS wage garnishment can be stopped, reduced, or released entirely, even after it has already begun.

What Is an IRS Wage Garnishment?

An IRS wage garnishment (also called a wage levy) allows the IRS to legally take a portion of your paycheck to collect unpaid tax debt.

Unlike private creditors, the IRS:

Does not need a court order
Can take wages continuously
Leaves you only a small exempt amount

This often results in severe financial hardship for taxpayers and their families.

Why the IRS Garnishes Wages

The IRS typically issues a wage garnishment after:

Multiple unpaid tax notices
Failure to respond to collection letters
Defaulted payment arrangements

Once the levy is active, your employer is legally required to comply.

Can an IRS Wage Garnishment Be Stopped?

✅ Yes — in several ways

A wage garnishment can often be stopped by taking immediate, strategic action, including:

1. Entering a Payment Arrangement

Installment Agreements
Partial Payment Installment Agreements

Once accepted, the IRS will usually release the levy.

2. Placing the Account in Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status

If your expenses exceed income, the IRS may:

Stop collections
Release the wage garnishment
Temporarily suspend enforcement

This is common for taxpayers facing unemployment or financial hardship.

3. Submitting an Offer in Compromise (OIC)

In many cases, filing an Offer in Compromise:

Stops active collection actions
Pauses wage garnishments during review
Can permanently settle tax debt for less than owed

Timing and eligibility are critical.

4. Proving Financial Hardship

If the garnishment prevents you from paying for:

Housing
Utilities
Food
Medical care

The IRS may release the levy due to economic hardship, even without a long-term agreement.

What About California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) Garnishments?

California’s FTB wage garnishments are often more aggressive than the IRS.

The FTB can:

Garnish wages
Levy bank accounts
Intercept refunds

Stopping an FTB garnishment usually requires immediate legal intervention, especially when IRS and FTB actions overlap.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Every paycheck garnished:

Increases financial strain
Reduces negotiation leverage
Can delay resolution options

Waiting too long can result in:

Escalated enforcement
Additional levies
Missed appeal rights

Speak With a Tax Resolution Attorney Before Your Next Paycheck Is Taken

Wage garnishments are not just a financial issue—they are a legal issue. The sooner action is taken, the more options are available.

Our firm helps taxpayers throughout California:

Stop IRS and FTB wage garnishments
Negotiate payment solutions
Resolve tax debt permanently

📞 Schedule a confidential free consultation today to protect your income and regain control. 818.964.1829