The IRS Took Money From My Bank Account: What to Do

The short version. A bank levy is a one time grab, not continuous like a wage levy. When the IRS levies a bank account, the bank freezes the amount and holds it for 21 days before sending it to the IRS. That 21 day hold is your window. If you can show the levy causes hardship or that it was issued in error, the IRS can release it before the money leaves your account.

The 21 day window

By law, your bank must hold the levied funds for 21 days before sending them to the IRS. That delay exists precisely so problems can be fixed. Acting inside those 21 days is the difference between getting the money released and losing it, so this is not something to sit on.

What you can do about it

Move inside the 21 day hold. Each step is something you request and the IRS reviews.

Request a levy releaseIf the levy causes hardship or was issued in error, ask for a release before the hold ends.
Show hardshipIf the levy leaves you unable to cover basic needs.
Set up a payment planArranging the debt can support a release and prevent the next levy.
Check whether the levy was properIf you never received the required notices, the levy may be challengeable.

The clock on a bank levy is 21 days.

If the money has not left yet, there may still be time. Send your case in for a free review and we will tell you whether a release is possible and how to ask.

Get a Free Review

Related IRS notices

Not your notice? Look yours up on the home page.

The legal basis

What this is grounded in

Levy authority: Internal Revenue Code section 6331.
Bank must hold levied funds 21 days before sending them: Internal Revenue Code section 6332(c).
Release of levy: Internal Revenue Code section 6343.
Right to a hearing before levy: Internal Revenue Code section 6330.

These are the controlling Internal Revenue Code sections and Internal Revenue Manual parts. Links go to the live IRS.gov pages so you can confirm every point yourself.

Free review

Want Someone to Look at It First?

A bank levy moves fast. Send the short version now and we will tell you whether the funds can still be released.

Educational review only. We do not promise any outcome, and submitting this form does not create a professional relationship.

First name

Last name

Phone

What is going on?

About how much do you owe? optional

Any deadline or active collection? optional

Best time to reach you optional

Anything you want to add? optional

We reply within one business day. Free and no obligation. We never sell your information.

Got it. Your case is in. We will review what you sent and get back to you by email with straight answers and the next step.

The IRS Took Money From Your Bank Account. Here Is What to Do.