If you’re behind on taxes and live in Charlotte, NC, wage garnishment is a very real risk. Unlike other creditors, the IRS doesn’t need to take you to court first. If you’ve received final notices—or ignored them—you could be one paycheck away from losing a chunk of your income.

At Polaris Tax & Accounting, we help clients across Charlotte stop IRS wage garnishments and take back control.

What Is IRS Wage Garnishment?

Wage garnishment means the IRS legally forces your employer to withhold a portion of your paycheck to cover unpaid taxes. Unlike credit card companies or private debt collectors, the IRS has administrative authority to do this without a court order.

The IRS sends your employer Form 668-W, instructing them to begin withholding immediately.

Signs You’re About to Be Garnished

If you live in Charlotte and are behind on your taxes, be on the lookout for:

  • IRS Letter CP504 – Notice of Intent to Levy

  • Letter 1058 / LT11 – Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Right to a Hearing

  • Repeated IRS collection letters with no resolution

  • No active payment plan or Offer in Compromise on file

Once the IRS sends these, they may garnish your wages 30 days later—unless you take action.

How Much Can the IRS Take?

The IRS doesn’t follow state garnishment laws like North Carolina’s 25% limit. Instead, they use federal exemption tables, which often leave you with just enough to cover basic living expenses.

This could mean losing $300–$900 or more per paycheck, depending on your income and filing status.

How to Stop IRS Wage Garnishment in Charlotte

Here’s what we do at Polaris:

  1. Immediately contact the IRS to stop the levy

  2. Request a Collection Due Process hearing, if still within your rights

  3. File missing tax returns, if that’s holding up your resolution

  4. Negotiate a payment plan or Offer in Compromise

  5. Secure “Currently Not Collectible” status, if you qualify

Time is critical—once your employer gets that notice, they’re legally required to comply.

What If You Already Have a Garnishment?

Even if the garnishment has started, it can often be reversed or reduced if:

  • You agree to a payment plan

  • You’re under financial hardship

  • The garnishment was issued in error

  • You never received proper notice

We’ve helped Charlotte residents reduce or stop garnishments even after they began.

Why Work With an Enrolled Agent?

At Polaris Tax & Accounting, you’ll work directly with a licensed Enrolled Agent (EA)—not just a preparer or bookkeeper. EAs are federally authorized to:

  • Speak directly with the IRS on your behalf

  • Represent you in audits, collections, and hearings

  • Get wage garnishments released efficiently and legally

Charlotte Wage Garnishment Help Starts Here

📞 Call Polaris Tax & Accounting at 704-947-3178
✅ We serve all of Charlotte and surrounding NC cities
🔗 Visit our Charlotte IRS Tax Help Page »

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