IRS Bank Levy: You Have 21 Days
The IRS froze your bank account. Every dollar is locked. Your bank holds the money for 21 days before sending it to the IRS. That 21-day window is your chance. Don't waste a single day of it.
How Bank Levies Work
The IRS sends a levy notice to your bank. The bank freezes whatever is in the account at that moment and holds it for 21 days. After 21 days, the money goes to the IRS. Future deposits are not affected by the same levy — but the IRS can send another one.
Getting Your Money Back
I contact the IRS immediately and negotiate a release. Grounds include economic hardship, entering into an installment agreement, or procedural defects in the levy process. If I can get the release before day 21, your money comes back.
Joint Account Issues
If the IRS levied a joint account and your spouse or partner doesn't owe the tax, their portion can be released. This requires documentation proving the non-liable party's contribution to the account.
Preventing the Next Levy
One released levy doesn't stop the next one. We need to resolve the debt. I negotiate a resolution that satisfies the IRS and protects your accounts going forward.