An IRS wage garnishment is one of the most aggressive collection tools the government has. It's continuous, it's automatic, and it can leave you with almost nothing to live on. The good news: it can almost always be released — and faster than you think.
How garnishment happens
Before the IRS levies wages, they send a series of notices culminating in a Final Notice of Intent to Levy (LT11 or Letter 1058). You have 30 days to request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing under IRC § 6330. If you miss it, the IRS contacts your employer with Form 668-W and your next paycheck shrinks.
The amount exempt from the levy is set by Publication 1494 and depends on your filing status and dependents — often only a few hundred dollars per pay period.
The fastest path to release
The IRS will release a wage levy when an acceptable resolution is in place. Common options:
| Resolution | Typical release time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Installment Agreement | 24–48 hours | Stable income, balance under $50K |
| Currently Not Collectible | 48–72 hours | Income at or below allowable expenses |
| Accepted or pending OIC | 24–72 hours | RCP below total liability |
| Economic hardship release (IRC § 6343(a)) | Often same-day with documentation | Levy itself causing inability to meet basic living expenses |
Once Power of Attorney (Form 2848) is filed and the right paperwork hits the right desk, releases commonly happen within 24 to 72 hours.
What not to do
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- Don't call your employer asking them to stop sending the money — they're legally required to comply with the levy under IRC § 6332.
- Don't ignore the IRS phone calls thinking it'll go away.
- Don't try to negotiate a settlement first — the levy needs to be released before any productive resolution conversation makes sense.
Get help today
If your wages are being garnished right now, time matters. Call (214) 646-3802 and we'll get a Power of Attorney filed today.
Primary sources & authority
We cite the underlying IRS publications and statutes so you can verify everything on this page.
Franklin Sofi is a MBA, CPA, CTRS and the founder of Comprehensive Tax Resolution LLC. Franklin Sofi is the founder of Comprehensive Tax Resolution LLC. He holds an MBA and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Tax Resolution Specialist (CTRS), and a Gold Member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS).