What you are dealing with
A federal tax lien and an IRS levy are different collection tools. Confusing them can waste the time attached to a notice. The useful first move is to identify the exact letter, the tax periods, whether appeal rights remain, and whether wages, bank funds, benefits, or other property are already affected.
What the IRS is doing
A federal tax lien is the government's legal claim against property after a tax liability is assessed and remains unpaid. A levy is a legal seizure used to collect the debt. Wage levies can continue, while a bank generally holds levied funds before sending them to the IRS. Collection due-process rights depend on the notices and dates involved.
What we do
We read the notice chain, confirm the collection stage, identify deadlines and appeal rights, and assemble the financial and compliance record. The written strategy may involve correcting the account, bringing filings current, requesting a collection alternative, seeking a levy release when the law and facts support it, or addressing lien withdrawal, discharge, subordination, or release through the appropriate process.
How the written engagement starts
- Attach the levy, lien, bank, employer, or Social Security notice in full.
- Tell us what property or income is affected and the date action began.
- We review filing compliance, account history, deadlines, and financial facts.
- You receive the written response path, scope, and fee before representation begins.
What to gather
- All IRS collection notices, especially LT11, CP90, CP91, CP504, or lien filings
- Bank or employer levy correspondence and dates
- Recent income, household-expense, asset, and liability records
- Filed returns and any existing payment or collection agreement
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Frequently Asked Questions
- A lien is the government's legal claim against property securing a tax debt. A levy is a seizure of property or rights to property to collect that debt.
- The response depends on the notice, timing, compliance, and financial facts. Banks generally hold levied funds before remitting them, so send the complete notice and bank correspondence for immediate written review.
- Not automatically. A lien may remain until the liability is satisfied or becomes unenforceable, although separate withdrawal, discharge, subordination, and release procedures may apply.
- Hardship facts can matter to a levy-release request, but they must be documented. We review income, necessary expenses, assets, filing compliance, and the active collection record before choosing the request.