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Bank Levies
Stop the IRS from seizing funds from your bank accounts.
Talk To A Real Tax Attorney
One honest conversation. You'll hang up knowing exactly what the IRS can — and can't — do to you, and how we'll stop them.
Call (877) 829-5267Tax Attorney · Villanova University School of Law · Admitted in Delaware, New Jersey, United States Tax Court
The Truth About Bank Levies — And What To Do Right Now
When the IRS levies your bank account, they freeze your funds and seize them after a 21-day holding period. It can happen without warning, leaving you unable to pay rent, buy groceries, or cover basic expenses.
McCauley Law Offices has released hundreds of bank levies — often within 24-48 hours. We know exactly what arguments work and what documentation the IRS needs to release your funds.
How an IRS Bank Levy Works
When the IRS issues a bank levy (Form 668-A), your bank receives the notice and immediately freezes the funds in your account up to the amount owed. Here's the timeline:
- Day 1: Bank receives the levy and freezes your funds
- Days 1-21: The bank holds the funds — this is when we can intervene
- Day 21: The bank sends the frozen funds to the IRS
A bank levy is a one-time action — it only captures funds in your account at the time of the levy. However, the IRS can (and often does) issue additional levies.
How We Get Bank Levies Released
We use several strategies to get levies released quickly:
- Economic hardship: Demonstrating the levy prevents you from meeting basic living expenses — this is the fastest route to release
- Installment agreement: Setting up a payment plan as an alternative to the levy
- Offer in Compromise: Submitting an OIC suspends all collection activity
- Procedural challenge: If the IRS failed to send proper notice or violated your rights, the levy may be invalid
- Currently Not Collectible: Showing you can't afford to pay anything right now
Exempt Funds
Certain funds in your bank account may be protected from IRS levy:
- Social Security benefits — exempt from levy if directly deposited
- Federal salary payments — partially protected
- Certain public assistance payments
- Workers' compensation
- Child support payments received
We review every levy to identify exempt funds and demand their immediate release.
People Just Like You Have Sat In This Exact Chair
They were terrified. They were ashamed. They thought they were the only one. Then they made one phone call — and everything changed.
Physician with $95,000 Seized
A Baltimore physician had $95,000 frozen across multiple bank accounts. We contacted the IRS Revenue Officer, demonstrated economic hardship, and got the levy released within 48 hours.
Single Mother's Account Frozen
A single mother in Media had her only bank account levied for $12,000. We proved the levy was creating economic hardship and got the funds released the next business day.
Payroll Account Levied — Released in 48 Hours
A Conshohocken construction company's operating account was frozen the day before payroll. We secured a hardship release within 48 hours, payroll cleared on time, and put a streamlined installment agreement in place.
That Letter In Your Hand? Here's What It Really Means.
The IRS writes notices in code on purpose. If any of these landed in your mailbox, bank levies is exactly how we fight back — and the clock is already ticking.
This is a final notice before the IRS seizes your assets. They intend to levy (take) your state tax refund and may seize other assets.
Deadline: 30 days
This is the absolute final warning. The IRS will begin seizing your wages, bank accounts, and property within 30 days.
Deadline: 30 days
CP90 (individuals) and CP297 (businesses) are the IRS's statutory Final Notice of Intent to Levy. After 30 days the IRS can legally seize wages, bank accounts, retirement funds, and Social Security payments.
Deadline: 30 days to request CDP hearing
Every Day You Wait, The IRS Wins A Little More.
Penalties stack. Interest compounds. Legal options quietly disappear. One free call ends the spiral.
Exactly How We Take This Off Your Shoulders
The hardest step is the first one. Everything after that, we carry for you. No surprises. No runaround. No lectures.
- 1
Confirm the 21-day hold and assigned office
We verify the levy posted, identify ACS or the Revenue Officer holding the case, and start the clock on the funds release window.
- 2
Document economic hardship
Payroll runs, rent and utility shutoffs, medical needs — the IRS releases on hardship faster than on the merits. We assemble proof immediately.
- 3
Push for release within the 21 days
Calls, faxes, and written request to the levy source plus the IRS contact — we don't wait on a queue when funds are at risk.
- 4
Put a permanent resolution on the table
The IRS is more willing to release when an installment agreement, CNC, or OIC is teed up. We bring both halves at the same time.
- 5
Recover wrongful-levy funds if applicable
If the levy was procedurally improper or hit non-liable funds, we pursue a wrongful levy claim under IRC § 6343.
This Isn't Theory — It's What We Do Every Week
Bank Levy Release — Medical Professional
Baltimore physician had $95,000 seized from bank accounts. We secured levy release within 48 hours and negotiated an installment agreement.
Trusted by Thousands of Taxpayers
Real results from real clients
Robert M.
Sandra L.
Michael T.
Jennifer K.
David R.
Maria G.
Thomas W.
Patricia H.
James C.
Robert M.
Sandra L.
Michael T.
Jennifer K.
David R.
Maria G.
Thomas W.
Patricia H.
James C.
Robert M.
Sandra L.
Michael T.
Jennifer K.
David R.
Maria G.
Thomas W.
Patricia H.
James C.
Robert M.
Sandra L.
Michael T.
Jennifer K.
David R.
Maria G.
Thomas W.
Patricia H.
James C.
"McCauley Law resolved my $180,000 IRS debt for a fraction of what I owed. I was facing wage garnishment and bank levies — they stopped everything and negotiated an incredible settlement."
Robert M.
Philadelphia, PA
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The Questions Keeping You Up At Night — Answered
The Paperwork Behind Bank Levies
Step-by-step guides — including who files, mailing addresses, and the mistakes that get applications rejected.
Other Ways We Shut The IRS Down
Offer in Compromise
Settle your tax debt for less than what you owe through IRS settlement programs.
Installment Agreement
Set up manageable monthly payment plans to pay off your tax debt over time.
Currently Not Collectible
Prove financial hardship to temporarily halt IRS collection activity.
Penalty Abatement
Remove or reduce IRS penalties through first-time abatement or reasonable cause.
One Phone Call. Or Another Sleepless Night.
Stop Letting The IRS Own Your Mornings.
You already know what happens if you do nothing. Pick up the phone for a free, confidential conversation with a real tax attorney — 30+ years inside the IRS playbook — and finally start fighting back.
Call (877) 829-5267 NowPrimary Sources & Authority
We cite the underlying IRS publications and statutes so you can verify everything on this page.