Segal, Cohen & Landis, P.C.
Stop IRS Wage Garnishment — Protect Your Paycheck
IRS tax attorneys — Beverly Hills, CA. National representation.
IRS wage garnishment is one of the most financially disruptive collection actions the IRS can take. Unlike bank levies, which seize funds once, a wage levy is continuous — it takes a large portion of every paycheck, repeatedly, until the entire tax debt is paid or the garnishment is released. The IRS uses exemption tables to determine how much it can take, but the exempt amount is often far less than what you need to cover rent, food, and basic expenses. At Segal, Cohen & Landis, we treat wage garnishment cases as emergencies. Our attorneys act quickly to stop the withholding, protect your income, and negotiate a permanent resolution to the underlying IRS debt.
How We Help
Our Approach to IRS Wage Garnishment Attorney
Immediate Garnishment Release
We contact the IRS immediately to establish grounds for release. In most cases, we negotiate a collection alternative — installment agreement, Offer in Compromise, or Currently Not Collectible status — that the IRS accepts in exchange for releasing the garnishment. Releases can often be obtained within 24 to 72 hours of us taking action.
Financial Hardship Defense
If the garnishment is causing genuine financial hardship — inability to pay basic living expenses — the IRS is required to consider releasing it. We document the hardship properly and present it persuasively.
Collection Due Process Hearing
If you received a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and have not responded, you may still have rights under Collection Due Process (CDP). We file CDP hearing requests to halt the garnishment and create an opportunity to negotiate resolution before an IRS Appeals Officer.
Permanent Resolution
Stopping the garnishment is the first step. The second is ensuring it doesn't come back. We negotiate installment agreements, submit OICs, establish CNC status, or pursue penalty abatement — whatever strategy results in a sustainable, permanent end to the IRS collection problem.
How It Works
The Resolution Process
Emergency Consultation
Call or book immediately. We review your situation, the garnishment notice, and your IRS account balance to identify the fastest path to relief.
IRS Contact
We contact the IRS Revenue Officer or ACS and present grounds for release — either an immediate collection alternative or documented hardship.
Garnishment Release
The IRS faxes a release to your employer. We follow up to confirm receipt and ensure the withholding stops at the next pay cycle.
Permanent Resolution
We build and execute a resolution plan that prevents the IRS from resuming collection.
Ready to Resolve Your Tax Problem?
Our attorneys have helped thousands of clients resolve IRS matters. Your consultation is free and confidential.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my paycheck can the IRS take?+
The IRS uses Publication 1494 exemption tables — the exempt amount depends on your filing status and number of dependents. Everything above the exempt threshold can be taken. In practice, many taxpayers receive less than 30% of their gross pay after a garnishment.
How quickly can a wage garnishment be stopped?+
Once we negotiate a collection alternative with the IRS, they fax a release to your employer, typically within 24 to 48 hours. Your employer then stops withholding at the next pay cycle.
Can the IRS garnish Social Security benefits?+
Yes. The Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP) allows the IRS to levy up to 15% of Social Security retirement and disability benefits. We can request a hardship release of these levies.
I just received a Final Notice of Intent to Levy — what do I do?+
Act immediately. You have 30 days to request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing before levy action begins. Filing a CDP request halts the levy and gives us time to negotiate. Don't let the 30-day window pass.
Further reading
Beverly Hills · Los Angeles · National
Segal, Cohen & Landis, P.C.
9100 Wilshire Boulevard, 601 East Tower, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
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