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 Payment Plan Estimator

Estimate Your Monthly IRS Payment Before You Agree to Anything

If you owe the Internal Revenue Service and cannot pay your full tax debt right now, an IRS payment plan — also called an installment agreement — may allow you to resolve the balance over time through monthly payments instead of one lump sum.

However, many taxpayers agree to a payment plan without understanding what the IRS is likely to require. When the monthly payment is set too high, the plan becomes unaffordable, defaults, and IRS collection actions can restart.

This page and estimator help you evaluate a realistic monthly payment before using the IRS Online Payment Agreement system or submitting Form 9465.

Why IRS Payment Plans Fail (And Why It Matters)

Many installment agreements fail for predictable reasons. Payments are often set too high based on IRS standards rather than real-world expenses, and taxpayers may accept unaffordable terms hoping to make them work. Changes in income, unexpected expenses, or insufficient documentation can quickly lead to missed payments, especially when alternative options such as partial-payment plans or hardship-based relief were never considered.

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What Happens If a Payment Plan Defaults

Defaulting on an IRS payment plan can result in:

Loss of installment agreement protection

Restarted IRS collection actions, including levies or garnishments

Increased difficulty in reinstating or modifying the agreement

Higher risk of a federal tax lien

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What This Estimator Does — and Does Not Do

The IRS does not rely solely on job titles. It evaluates authority, knowledge, and conduct when identifying responsible persons.

What the IRS Payment Plan Estimator Can and Can’t Do

Estimate a realistic payment range

Help avoid unaffordable agreements

Indicate when alternatives may apply

Does not stop collections or guarantee approval

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Illustration showing a couple consulting a professional seated on stairs surrounded by icons of money, clock, calendar, checklists, scales, coins, and hourglass representing IRS payment plan steps.

How IRS Payment Plans Work for Individuals

An IRS installment agreement allows taxpayers to resolve tax debt over time. Depending on balance size and compliance status, options may include the following:

Short-term payment plans for balances payable within a few months

Long-term installment agreements with monthly payments

Streamlined agreements requiring limited financial disclosure

Partial-payment installment agreements, where payments may not cover the full balance before the collection statute expires

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How the IRS Decides What You “Can Pay”

What the IRS Reviews During a Financial Evaluation

All sources of income

Necessary living expenses

Filing and payment compliance

Ongoing adherence to tax obligations

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What Your Results Mean

How to Interpret Payment Plan Affordability

Likely affordable with stable income

Possible risk due to tight margins

Not affordable if essentials uncovered

Consider alternatives when risk is high

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Request a Payment Plan Review

Before submitting an Online Payment Agreement or contacting the IRS, a review can help prevent costly mistakes.

A review may include the following:

Eligibility assessment

Monthly payment confirmation

Filing and compliance check

Collection risk evaluation

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IRS Payment Plan Estimator

IRS Payment Plan Estimator

Answer a few questions about:

Your results will indicate one of three outcomes:

Step 1 — IRS Balance

Step 2 — Filing Status

Step 3 — Ability to Pay

Step 4 — Collection Pressure

Not Applicable

Not Eligible Yet

Your Payment Plan Eligibility Result

-

What You Entered