Can the IRS Garnish My Wages?

This article applies to federal IRS tax laws and collection practices in the United States.

Yes, the IRS can legally garnish your wages if you owe back taxes and don’t make payment arrangements. This process is called a wage levy and allows the IRS to collect directly from your paycheck.

What This Means

If you owe unpaid federal taxes, the IRS doesn’t need a court order to start garnishing your wages. They can notify your employer directly and legally require them to withhold a portion of your pay each paycheck — until your tax debt is paid off or another resolution is reached.

Why It Happens

The IRS uses wage garnishment as a last-resort collection method. Typically, it follows multiple notices and warnings. If you ignore IRS letters like Notice CP90 or LT11, the IRS may begin garnishment automatically. This is part of their authority under the Internal Revenue Code Section 6331.

Who It Affects

Wage garnishment can affect:

• W-2 employees
• Federal contractors or employees
• Social Security recipients (partial garnishment)

If you are self-employed, the IRS may pursue other actions like bank levies instead.

What You Can Do

If you’ve received a Final Notice of Intent to Levy or believe garnishment is about to start, here are your options:

• Set up an Installment Agreement (payment plan)
• Apply for Currently Not Collectible status
• Submit an Offer in Compromise to settle for less
• Request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing

The earlier you act, the better your chances of avoiding or stopping wage garnishment entirely.

How TaxRise Can Help

At TaxRise, we help Americans stop wage garnishment every day. Whether you're already losing part of your paycheck or just received a notice, we can step in and help you resolve your debt through a personalized strategy that fits your financial situation.

Don’t wait for your next paycheck to shrink. Start your free consultation with a TaxRise expert today →

Related Questions

• How much can the IRS garnish from my paycheck?
  The IRS uses a formula based on your income and dependents. They may take a significant portion, sometimes leaving you with little more than minimum living expenses.
• Can the IRS garnish my entire paycheck?
  Not entirely — they must leave you with a minimum exempt amount, but this amount is often far lower than your typical take-home pay.
• What notice will the IRS send before garnishment?
  The IRS must send a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and a Notice of Your Right to a Hearing at least 30 days before garnishment begins.

📘 Reviewed by TaxRise Tax Professionals
This article was reviewed by the TaxRise Tax Professional Team. TaxRise has helped thousands of Americans eliminate millions in IRS and state tax debt. This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice.