Get Help With IRS Liens and Levies

An IRS lien is a legal claim against your property for unpaid tax debt. It protects the government’s interest in your assets and becomes part of the public record as a Notice of Federal Tax Lien. An IRS levy is enforcement. It allows the IRS to seize money or property to satisfy the debt, including bank accounts, accounts receivable, business assets, or wages.

A Notice of Federal Tax Lien is the public filing the IRS records to establish its legal claim against your assets — business or personal. It can affect your ability to borrow, sell property, or restructure finances. Once filed, it attaches to all current and future assets until the debt is resolved or the lien is released.

Federal tax liens are public records. While they no longer appear directly on personal credit reports in most cases, they can still affect financing decisions, lender relationships, and business credibility. The longer a lien remains, the more it can limit your options.

An IRS lien may be released once the debt is paid in full, settled, or otherwise resolved. In some situations, withdrawal or subordination may be possible depending on your circumstances. The right approach depends on your compliance status, financial position, and how the lien is affecting you.

Yes. The IRS has the authority to seize real property, including a personal residence, when tax debt remains unresolved and other collection efforts have not satisfied the balance. This is a later-stage enforcement action and requires IRS approval, but it is legally permitted. The earlier you act, the more you can do to prevent enforcement from reaching that point.

Yes. If required notices have been issued and deadlines have passed, the IRS can levy your business bank account and seize the funds. That’s not just a cash flow problem. It can stop you from making payroll or paying vendors. The sooner you act, the more you can do about it.

A bank levy is typically a one-time seizure of the funds in the account at the time the levy is processed. Once issued, the bank holds the funds for a short period before sending them to the IRS. If the debt remains unresolved, the IRS can issue additional levies.

Yes. In certain cases, the IRS can seize business assets such as equipment, vehicles, or accounts receivable, and in cases where personal liability has been assessed, personal assets may also be at risk. Asset seizure is typically a later-stage enforcement action, but it is legally permitted when tax debt remains unresolved. The earlier you act, the more you can do to prevent enforcement from reaching that point.

In certain situations, the IRS may levy sources of income or business payments, including amounts paid to independent contractors, as part of enforcement. The right response depends on what was levied and how far enforcement has progressed.

A Final Notice of Intent to Levy (often sent as IRS Letter 1058 or LT11) means enforcement action may begin if you don’t respond within the allowed timeframe, usually 30 days. This letter also gives you the right to request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing before levy action proceeds. Acting before the deadline is critical to preserving your options.

Yes, depending on where the case stands. Enforcement can sometimes be paused or resolved through structured negotiation, payment arrangements, or other resolution options. The earlier you act, the more options you have.