Can the IRS garnish my entire paycheck?

The IRS cannot legally take your entire paycheck, but it can garnish everything above the protected exempt amount determined by federal wage levy tables. That exempt amount is often much lower than most people expect and does not reflect real living costs. As a result, many taxpayers feel like nearly their entire paycheck is being taken, even though a small portion must legally remain protected.

Is a wage levy the same as wage garnishment?

Yes. A wage levy is the IRS's legal term for wage garnishment. Outside of tax law, most people use the term "wage garnishment," while the IRS uses "levy." Both describe the same action: the IRS requiring an employer to withhold wages and send them directly to the government to satisfy an unpaid federal tax debt.

How fast can an IRS wage garnishment begin?

Once the IRS issues a Final Notice of Intent to Levy (such as Letter 1058 or LT11) and the required response period has expired, wage garnishment can begin promptly. In many cases, withholding starts with the next pay cycle after your employer receives the levy notice. There is often little warning once that point is reached.

Will my employer be notified about the garnishment?

Yes. IRS wage garnishment is enforced by sending a levy notice directly to your employer. Employers are legally required to comply with IRS instructions and withhold wages accordingly. While employers are not told personal details about your tax situation, they will know that a federal wage levy is in place and must continue withholding until the IRS releases it.

Does this calculator include state garnishments or other withholdings?

No. This calculator estimates only the federal IRS wage garnishment. It does not include state tax levies, garnishments by creditors, child support, alimony, or other payroll deductions. Actual take-home pay may be lower if additional withholdings apply, but the calculator focuses solely on how the IRS calculates federal wage levy exemptions.

What if I have more than one job?

The IRS can issue wage levies to multiple employers simultaneously. Each employer may be required to withhold wages based on IRS instructions. This can significantly increase financial strain, especially if the protected exempt amount is applied separately. Understanding this risk early can help taxpayers assess urgency and potential resolution options.

Is this calculator a substitute for professional advice?

No. This calculator is a decision-support tool, not legal or tax advice. It provides estimates based on published IRS wage levy rules and exemption tables. Actual outcomes depend on IRS enforcement status, compliance history, and financial disclosures. Reviewing results with a qualified tax professional or tax resolution specialist can help clarify realistic next steps.

IRS Bank Levy (Personal) Calculator

An IRS bank levy is one of the most aggressive collection tools the government uses to recover unpaid federal tax debt. Unlike wage garnishment, which limits how much can be taken from each paycheck, a bank levy targets the funds already sitting in your account — often all at once.

This calculator helps you estimate how much of your personal bank account may be frozen, how urgent your enforcement risk is, and whether resolution options still exist before funds are transferred to the IRS.

Bank levies can freeze accounts without warning

Funds for rent, groceries, or medical bills are not automatically protected

Timing is critical once a levy is issued

What Is an IRS Bank Levy?

An IRS bank levy is a legal seizure that allows the Internal Revenue Service to freeze and take funds from your personal bank account to satisfy unpaid tax debt. Unlike wage levies, a bank levy applies to the available funds in your checking and savings accounts at a single point in time, with no per-paycheck exemption, and it may include money intended for everyday living expenses.

Illustration showing a crossed-out gavel symbol, an envelope, locked bank building and cash, a pile of bank levy documents, and a worried couple holding bills.

What Most Taxpayers Don’t Realize About Bank Levies

Many taxpayers don’t realize the IRS can issue a bank levy without going to court. Once notice requirements are met, the IRS can freeze and seize bank funds with little warning—even money needed for daily expenses.

IRS Bank Levy Basics

No court order required

Levy sent directly to banks

Funds frozen immediately

Hardship not automatically considered

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How IRS Bank Levies Typically Happen

IRS Balance-Due Notices Are Sent

Most bank levies follow a predictable timeline. Common notices include:

CP14 — First balance-due notice

CP501 — Reminder notice

CP503 — Second reminder

CP504 — Final notice before levy

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Diagram showing IRS bank levy process with envelopes labeled CP14, CP501, CP503, CP504 and arrows pointing to a locked bank building symbol.

Illustration of worried couple looking at phone, overdue bills and coins, locked bank building with chain and padlock, a stack of papers with a 'Do Not Open' sign, and a ringing alarm clock with question marks.

Why Bank Levies Catch People Off Guard

Notices may have been mailed months earlier

Banks are prohibited from warning customers

The IRS does not announce levy dates

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What This Calculator Estimates

This calculator provides a general estimate based on standard IRS bank levy practices.

It helps estimate:

Potential exposure

How much of your current balance may be frozen

Urgency level based on notice history and timing

Risk factors such as joint accounts or multiple banks

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Calculator with a thermometer icon surrounded by images of documents, coins, magnified money bundles, warning sign, clock, and small bank buildings representing financial and time-related concepts.

Calculator in center with red X over it and question mark on screen, surrounded by icons of a crossed-out crystal ball, a clock with question mark, a businessman with money, and locked documents with a no symbol.

What the Calculator Does Not Do

It does not guarantee a levy will occur

It does not predict exact IRS timing

It does not replace professional review

It assumes a standard personal bank account

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Important Limits on Bank Levy Protection

Unlike wage garnishment, bank levies offer minimal automatic protection.

Typically not protected:

Checking and savings balances

Funds for everyday living expenses

Savings, CDs, or money market accounts

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Central blue shield with a lock surrounded by four circles depicting financial elements: checking and savings accounts, grocery cart with bills and coins, cash in a container, and checks with wallet and coins.

Illustration of a man in a suit working on a laptop surrounded by icons of legal notices, locked bank building, unpaid taxes, and documents with a magnifying glass.

When a Professional Review Makes Sense

Consider a review if:

You received CP504, Letter 1058, or LT11

Your bank account is frozen

You owe back taxes with no active resolution

You are unsure how close enforcement may be

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IRS Bank Levy (Personal) Calculator

IRS Bank Levy (Personal) Calculator

Step 1 — Current Bank Levy Status

Step 2 — IRS Balance

Step 3 — Bank Funds & Payment Plan

Step 4 — Filing Status

Not eligible

Your IRS Bank Levy Individual Result

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What You Entered

What Is an IRS Bank Levy?