An IRS levy permits the legal seizure of your property to satisfy a tax debt. It can garnish wages, take money in your bank or other financial account, seize and sell your vehicle(s), real estate and other personal property.

Can the IRS check your savings account?

The Short Answer: Yes. The IRS probably already knows about many of your financial accounts, and the IRS can get information on how much is there. But, in reality, the IRS rarely digs deeper into your bank and financial accounts unless you’re being audited or the IRS is collecting back taxes from you.

Is it possible to prevent a bank levy?

In some situations, it’s possible to prevent a levy, especially when the only money in your account is from federal benefits. A bank levy is a legal action that allows creditors to take funds from your bank account. Your bank freezes funds in your account, and the bank is required to send that money to creditors to satisfy your debt.

Why are bank levies important to the IRS?

Levies are an important enforcement tool. By following the procedures in this IRM, revenue officers will be able to follow the unique requirements for levies on bank accounts.

How are bank levies sent to your account?

Generally, IRS levies are delivered via the mail. The date and time of delivery of the levy is the time when the levy is considered to have been made. In the case of a bank levy, funds in the account are frozen as of the date and time the levy is received.

Is there a waiting period for a bank levy?

Information About Bank Levies. When the levy is on a bank account, the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provides a 21-day waiting period for complying with the levy. The waiting period is intended to allow you time to contact the IRS and arrange to pay the tax or notify the IRS of errors in the levy. Generally, IRS levies are delivered via the mail.