How much of my paycheck can the IRS garnish?

The IRS uses Publication 1494 to calculate the exempt amount based on your filing status and number of dependents. Only the exempt portion is paid to you — everything above that goes to the IRS. The exempt amount is typically modest, meaning the IRS can take a significant portion of take-home pay. For example, a single taxpayer with no dependents may have only a few hundred dollars per pay period protected.

Can my employer fire me because of an IRS wage garnishment?

Federal law (the Consumer Credit Protection Act) prohibits an employer from firing an employee because of a single garnishment. However, this protection does not extend to multiple garnishments from different creditors. Regardless, your employer cannot refuse to comply with an IRS wage levy — failure to do so can make the employer personally liable for the amount they failed to withhold.

How long does an IRS wage garnishment last?

An IRS wage garnishment is continuous — it repeats every pay period until the full tax debt is paid, the IRS releases the levy, or you reach an agreement with the IRS such as an installment agreement. Unlike a bank levy which is a one-time action, a wage levy stays in place indefinitely unless actively released.