Few financial problems feel as personal as an IRS wage garnishment. When part of your paycheck is suddenly missing, it’s not just stressful — it’s frightening. But you don’t have to accept it.
At Tax Relief Heroes, Larry Kiyohiro, Esq., represents clients across Hawaii and the mainland who are facing IRS wage levies. As a skilled tax attorney, he helps stop garnishments, protect income, and negotiate practical, lasting resolutions that bring real relief.
What Is an IRS Wage Garnishment?
An IRS wage garnishment (also called a wage levy) is a legal action that allows the government to take money directly from your paycheck to collect unpaid taxes. Unlike regular creditors, the IRS doesn’t need a court order — only a series of formal notices.
According to the IRS, a levy is a legal seizure of property (including wages) to satisfy a tax debt (IRS).
Before any garnishment starts, the IRS must send you:
- A Notice and Demand for Payment — the first warning (IRS)
- A Final Notice of Intent to Levy
- A Notice of Your Right to a Hearing
If you don’t respond within the required timeframe (typically 30 days), the IRS can instruct your employer to garnish wages (TurboTax).
How Much Can the IRS Take?
The amount the IRS can legally garnish depends on your income, filing status, and household size. Instead of a simple percentage limit, the IRS uses exemption tables in IRS Publication 1494 (IRS Publication 1494).
Because the exempt amount is often low, some taxpayers see 50–70% of their paycheck redirected to the IRS (TaxCure).
A wage levy continues until:
- The debt is fully paid
- You enter into a formal IRS resolution (payment plan, OIC, or CNC status)
- The IRS releases the levy due to hardship
Why the IRS Garnishes Wages
The IRS uses wage levies only after other collection attempts — letters, calls, and payment requests — go unanswered (Gordon Law).
Once you take action or hire a representative, the IRS is often willing to pause or release the levy while negotiating a resolution. Acting quickly matters.
Steps to Stop IRS Wage Garnishment
If your wages are already being garnished — or you’ve just received a Final Notice — here’s what to do:
1. Get professional representation immediately.
A tax attorney can contact the IRS to request a levy release or temporary hold (Gordon Law).
2. Ensure all tax returns are filed.
The IRS won’t negotiate if you have unfiled returns. Compliance is the first step toward any resolution.
3. Negotiate a resolution that fits your situation.
Depending on your situation, you may qualify for:
- Installment Agreement
- Offer in Compromise
- Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status
Each option can stop or reverse a wage levy (Gordon Law).
4. Don’t wait.
Each paycheck will be affected until the levy is formally lifted. Acting quickly preserves more of your income (TurboTax).
Why You Should Work With a Tax Attorney
Wage garnishments are highly procedural, and timing matters. An attorney like Larry Kiyohiro, Esq. offers:
- Direct communication authority with the IRS
- Knowledge of IRS deadlines and legal rights
- Ability to secure levy releases
- Strategic planning to avoid future collection issues
Unlike unlicensed “tax relief” companies, Larry is a practicing tax attorney qualified to represent you before the IRS and U.S. Tax Court.
Rebuilding Financial Stability
Once your levy is removed, keeping your account compliant is essential. Larry helps clients:
- Set up long-term payment plans
- Stay current on estimated payments
- Maintain IRS communication
- Prevent future levies
The goal is not only to stop the levy but to help you maintain long-term financial stability.
Contact Tax Relief Heroes
If the IRS is garnishing your wages, don’t wait for the next paycheck to shrink.
📞 Contact Tax Relief Heroes today to speak with Larry Kiyohiro, Esq., an experienced tax attorney helping clients in Hawaii and across the U.S. stop wage garnishments and protect their income.