Culver City Wage Garnishments

Living in Culver City can be a dream, but unexpected financial hardships can quickly turn that dream into a nightmare. One such hardship is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wage garnishment.

If you owe back taxes to the IRS, they have the legal right to take a portion of your paycheck to pay down your debt. This can leave you struggling to make ends meet, causing a significant financial strain.

If you’re facing an IRS wage garnishment in Culver City, you don’t have to go it alone. Tax professionals can be lifesavers in these situations. They have the experience and knowledge to navigate the complexities of tax law and deal with the IRS on your behalf and can help you understand your options, negotiate a payment plan with the IRS, and potentially even get the wage garnishment lifted altogether.

At Instant Tax Solutions, we understand the stress and worry that comes with an IRS wage garnishment. We partner with Culver City residents to help them resolve their tax issues and stop wage garnishments.

Our team of tax professionals has a proven track record of success in dealing with the IRS and getting our clients the relief they deserve. We’ll work tirelessly to find a solution that fits your unique situation and get you back on track financially.

Do I Need Culver City IRS Wage Garnishment Help

Strictly speaking, not everyone might need assistance with IRS wage garnishment (if you know that you have missed taxes and have settled on an agreement with the IRS to pay it over time through your monthly paycheck, and your quality of life remains unaffected, for instance). That said, not everyone is able to afford even a temporary cut to their wages in order to afford to live.

Here are some signs you might need help with IRS wage garnishment:

1. Your paycheck is smaller than usual: If you notice a sudden decrease in your paycheck, it might be because your employer has started garnishing your wages to pay off your tax debt.
2. You received a CP504 Notice: This notice informs you of the IRS’s intent to place a levy on either your bank account or on your wages. It will also provide details on how much of your paycheck will be withheld and sent to the IRS.
3. You are struggling financially: Wage garnishment can significantly impact your ability to meet your basic needs. If you’re having trouble making ends meet due to the levy, you might need help exploring solutions.
4. You believe the amount you owe is incorrect: If you think the IRS has made a mistake in calculating your tax debt, you have the right to appeal. An experienced tax professional can help you navigate the appeals process.
5. You can’t afford to pay the full amount in one lump sum: The IRS offers various payment options, including installment plans and offers in compromise. A tax professional can advise you on the best course of action for your situation.

An IRS wage garnishment can trigger a cascade of difficulties that can significantly impact a person’s financial well-being and emotional state. The most immediate consequence is a reduction in take-home pay.

The IRS can legally claim a substantial portion of your paycheck, leaving you with less money to cover essential expenses like rent, utilities, and food. This financial strain can force you to cut back on necessities, dip into savings, or even go into debt just to make ends meet.

The stress of juggling bills and a shrinking budget can be immense, leading to anxiety, sleepless nights, and strained relationships with family members.

Types of Wage Garnishments

Wage garnishment is a legal procedure in which a person’s earnings are required by court order to be withheld by an employer for the payment of a debt. Here are some common types of wage garnishment:

• Wage Garnishment for Child Support: This is the most common type of wage garnishment in the United States. Employers are required to withhold a portion of an employee’s earnings to pay child support.
• Wage Garnishment for Student Loans: Federal student loans, such as those from the Department of Education, can be garnished if a borrower defaults on their loan.
• Wage Garnishment for Creditors: Creditors, such as banks, credit card companies, and other lenders, can garnish wages to collect debts, such as credit card debt, personal loans, and medical bills.
• Wage Garnishment for Federal Agency Debts: Federal agencies, such as the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, can garnish wages to collect debts, such as student loans, medical bills, and other debts owed to the government.
• Wage Garnishment for State and Local Debts: State and local governments can garnish wages to collect debts, such as taxes, fines, and court-ordered payments.
• Wage Garnishment for Taxes: The IRS can garnish wages to collect unpaid taxes, including income taxes, payroll taxes, and back taxes. This is the type of wage garnishment you would typically need the help of a tax professional for.

Explaining IRS Wage Garnishments

An IRS wage garnishment, also known as a wage levy, is the legal seizure of a portion of your wages by the IRS to collect unpaid taxes. This means the IRS can take money directly from your paycheck until your tax debt is settled.

Wage levies are similar to bank levies in that both are forceful collection tools used by the IRS to recoup unpaid taxes, but they target different sources of your money. Wage garnishments take a portion of your wages directly from your paycheck before you receive it, while bank levies freeze funds in your bank account and claim them towards your tax debt.

How Does the IRS Initiate a Wage Garnishment?

The IRS generally follows a specific protocol before garnishing your wages:

• Multiple Notices: Before the IRS resorts to wage garnishment, they will typically send you several notices via mail, informing you of your tax debt and the potential consequences of non-payment. There are at least two notices mandated, with at least 30 days between them.
• Final Notice of Intent to Levy: The final notice will warn you of the imminent wage garnishment and your right to a hearing to contest it.

What are Your Rights Before or During Garnishment?

You can request a Collection Due Process hearing within the 30-day window after receiving the final notice. This hearing allows you to dispute the amount owed or the legitimacy of the garnishment.

Note, however, that it’s important to note that this hearing is not intended to challenge the tax itself.

In addition to this, a portion of your income may be exempt from garnishment. This amount is based on the standard deduction and the number of your dependents.

The IRS will typically send Publication 1494 to your employer, explaining how to determine the exempt amount. You’ll need to fill out a “Statement of Dependents and Filing Status” form provided by your employer to claim these exemptions.

What Happens During Wage Garnishment?

The IRS will send a levy notice to your employer, instructing them to withhold a specific percentage of your wages and forward it to the IRS.

There are federal limitations on how much of your paycheck the IRS can garnish. Your income after garnishment cannot fall below the poverty level for your filing status and number of dependents.

Dealing with an IRS wage garnishment can also be a complex and time-consuming process. The IRS requires specific paperwork and documentation to challenge the levy or explore options like payment plans.

Navigating these bureaucratic hurdles can be daunting, especially for someone already struggling financially. The whole situation can feel overwhelming, leaving you frustrated and powerless.

Culver City IRS Wage Garnishment Removal

There are a few ways to get the IRS to remove a wage garnishment. Here are the main options:

• Pay the debt in full: This is the most straightforward solution. Once the IRS receives your full payment, including any penalties and interest, they will automatically stop the garnishment. Of course, this is may be a difficult solution if you do not have the money ready to do so, and so other approaches may be necessary.
• Set up an installment agreement: If you can’t pay everything at once, you can negotiate a payment plan with the IRS. There are different options available, such as short-term or long-term installment agreements. If the terms of your agreement allow it, the IRS will likely release the levy.
• Offer in Compromise: If you can demonstrate to the IRS that you’re unable to pay your full tax debt, you may be eligible for an Offer in Compromise (OIC). This program allows you to settle your debt for a lump sum payment that’s less than the amount you owe. If your offer is accepted, the IRS will release the levy.
• Claim economic hardship: The IRS may release the levy if they determine it’s causing undue hardship for you and your family. This means you’re unable to afford basic necessities like food and shelter after the garnishment is taken out of your paycheck. You’ll need to provide documentation to support your claim.
• Other factors: In some less common situations, the IRS might remove the levy if:
  • The collection period for your tax debt has already expired.
  • The IRS issued the levy in error.
  • You can prove you don’t owe the debt.

Steps to Take to Lift a Wage Garnishment

Here’s a simplified outline of the steps to take for IRS wage garnishment removal:

1. Contact the IRS: Your first call should be to the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Discuss your situation and explore the previously discussed options for your levy release.
2. Provide Documentation (if applicable): Regardless of the method you choose, it is likely you will have to provide documentation supporting it. For hardship claims, you’ll need proof of financial strain, while if you believe the levy is in error, gather documentation to support your case.
3. Follow Up and Wait for Response: The IRS will process your request and notify you of their decision. During this period, it might be to your benefit to catch up on any other tasks, such as organizing finances and records or getting a tax professional’s perspective on the situation. Also, you may try to request for a follow-up from the IRS, but try not to pester them.
4. Approval or Denial: If approved, the levy on your wages will be lifted, and you can expect to receive written confirmation from the IRS. If denied, you may still have the option of appealing their decision, though this may be difficult to do alone. Securing the aid of an experienced tax professional can increase your odds of successfully getting a wage garnishment lifted.

In addition to these steps, keep in mind that once the levy is lifted, you might still owe the tax debt to the government. You may still need to resolve it or have it forgiven in order to avoid future enforcement actions.

Choose Instant Tax Solutions for Help With Your Culver City IRS Wage Garnishment Release

An IRS wage garnishment doesn’t have to spell financial doom. Here at Instant Tax Solutions, we believe everyone deserves a shot at financial recovery.

We won’t let the IRS bully you or take away your hard-earned money. Our team of tax experts is passionate about helping Culver City residents overcome tax burdens and achieve financial peace of mind.

At Instant Tax Solutions, we’re more than just tax professionals. We’re your financial advocates, working tirelessly on your behalf to find a solution that stops the wage garnishment and gets you back on your feet.

We have a proven track record of success, with countless satisfied clients in Culver City who can attest to our expertise and unwavering dedication. Our tax lawyers in Culver City understand the intricacies of tax law and have the negotiation skills to secure a favorable outcome with the IRS.

Don’t wait any longer to take back control of your finances. The sooner you contact Instant Tax Solutions, the sooner we can start working towards a solution.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your unique situation and explore your options. Stop letting the IRS wage garnishment disrupt your life; call Instant Tax Solutions today at (800) 900-8055, and let our tax superheroes fight for your financial freedom!