Can you Stop a Tax Levy? Absolutely! But don't be taken in by all the myths are rumors about stopping or avoiding IRS Tax Levies or Asset Seizures. It's a lot harder than it looks.
Myth 1: To keep the IRS from levying your assets, just transfer the ownership!
Not so fast. If you already received that Final Notice, the IRS is keeping a close eye on you and your assets. If you transfer your assets to a friend, coworker, family members, the IRS can follow your paper trail, seize the asset, AND try to levy their assets, too!
Myth 2: You can lie to the IRS about your assets, they will never find out.
The IRS can and will find out. You don't have to answer their questions, but it's a violation of Federal law to lie to the IRS about your assets. Additionally, the IRS can search public records to find out what you really own.
Myth 3: File For Bankruptcy and the IRS can't touch you!
Bankruptcy is a terrible tool for combating Tax Debt. Depending on which chapter you file, you assets could be liquidated to satisfy the debt! Isn't that what you were trying to prevent in the first place? Here's some additional reasons to avoid Bankruptcy for resolving Tax Debt:
-The Tax Lien remains
-The Statute of Limitations on your Tax Debt is extended
-Interest and Penalties continue to accrue behind the scenes
So 5 years after your Chapter 13, your Tax Debt could be waiting for you, bigger and badder than ever! The Real Deal: There's only one way to stop an IRS Levy. And that's working with the IRS to pay the debt. You can submit an Offer in Compromise, propose an installment agreement, or request a hardship plan. None of this will be easy, but they are the only real options for stopping a levy. Act fast, you don't want the IRS to seize your assets or wages.