While the IRS uses both a lien and a levy as tools to go after taxpayers who owe taxes, a lien is not the same as a levy.

A lien is a legal claim the IRS files against a taxpayer’s personal or real property when you owe taxes.  It acts as the IRS’s security interest in the event that you do not pay your tax debt.  The lien will show up on your credit report and will affect your ability to buy a house, car or any other item you need financed.

A levy involves the legal seizure of your personal or real property to satisfy a tax debt you owe.  Most of the time, the IRS will issue a levy against your bank account or earnings, including wages, self-employment income, retirement accounts and social security income.

In order to avoid a lien or levy, call us so we can help you resolve your tax debt.  If you have had your bank account or income levied, we can help release or modify the levy.