What’s a wage garnishment, exactly?
A wage garnishment is an order the IRS sends directly to your employer, requiring them to withhold a portion of every paycheck until the tax debt is resolved. It typically follows a series of notices ending in a “Final Notice of Intent to Levy.”
Stopping it isn’t about appealing the math - it’s about putting an acceptable resolution in front of the IRS. An Installment Agreement, Offer in Compromise, or hardship status can all trigger an immediate release once approved.
A wage garnishment, broken down.
The IRS instructs your employer to withhold a portion of your disposable income, depending on exemptions, causing significant financial hardship. Here is how it works and what your options are.
Common misconceptions about wage garnishments.
Many taxpayers believe wage garnishments only affect high earners, but anyone with unpaid tax debt is at risk, regardless of income. Another myth is that garnishments stop automatically, but they continue until the debt is resolved or relief is granted. Some think they can’t be appealed, but options exist. BTR’s expertise ensures you address these misconceptions and secure effective relief.
Days, not months.
Same-day assessment
We pull your IRS account and figure out which release path will move fastest given your finances.
Release request
We file a formal request for garnishment release with the appropriate IRS collections unit and follow up by phone.
Resolution
Installment Agreement, OIC, or hardship - whichever the IRS will accept fastest to release the garnishment.
Compliance
We monitor your account and filings to make sure no new garnishment is issued while the resolution is in force.
We stopped a 50% wage garnishment for a client, saving them $1,200 a month.
The client came to us with a 50% garnishment already in effect - about $1,200 a month. We assessed the case immediately, filed a release request, and negotiated an IRS Installment Agreement. Garnishment released, paycheck restored, debt resolution underway.
Garnishment is one of the few tax problems that's truly urgent.
Every paycheck withheld is income you can't replace. We treat garnishment cases as same-day priorities and have direct lines to IRS collections.
Same-day response
Wage garnishment cases jump the queue. We pull your transcripts and start the release process the day you sign on.
Direct IRS lines
CPAs and enrolled agents with Practitioner Priority Service access. We talk to a real IRS officer - not the general line.
The right path
We don't just stop the garnishment - we resolve the underlying debt so it doesn't restart in six months.
Comprehensive support
We coordinate garnishment relief with broader options like an Offer in Compromise or Installment Agreement so the whole problem gets handled.
Nationwide expertise
As a nationwide firm, we offer specialized solutions and understand the IRS challenges our clients face.