Do you have a tax bill you can’t pay off? Have you been receiving notices, but ignored them because you didn’t have the money to pay? When a back tax bill is ignored, the IRS or State has the right to levy, or garnish, your wages as a means of getting payment. When this happens, they sometimes leave a taxpayer with so little to live on that they are unable to even pay for their basic housing and bills.

Obviously it is in your best interest to avoid this situation by addressing the tax problem before it gets to that stage. However, if you find yourself with a tax-related wage garnishment, there are some things you can do.

Most importantly, you need to have all your back tax returns filed. The IRS will generally not work with a taxpayer to remove a levy until all returns are filed, so if you have back returns that need to be submitted, that is the first step. Once all returns are filed, if your balances are not too large, the IRS or State may be willing to work with you to set up a voluntary payment plan rather than taking the money out of your check. If the task of filing your back taxes seems too overwhelming, Lothamer can help. We have the experience to file your back returns even if you are missing records.

If you are unable to work with the IRS or State on your own to get them to lift a levy, you may choose to seek professional assistance. Lothamer realizes that people who have wage levies are in a tight financial situation, so we offer free financing that allows you to get immediate help and spread the payments out over time.

The best way to avoid a wage garnishment, of course, is to stop it before it starts by getting your back taxes filed and making arrangements to deal with your balances due, whether it be through a payment plan, Offer in Compromise, bankruptcy, etc. Lothamer can assist you to determine which of these options is the right choice for you.