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Blazier, Christensen, Browder & Virr, P.C. | Attorneys & Counselors at Law | Austin, TX
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Resolving IRS Liens And Levies In Austin

When the IRS freezes your operating account days before payroll, you do not have time to sit on hold for hours. An active levy or a sudden Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) threatens your business and financial stability. Taxpayers throughout Austin need clear answers about how quickly they can regain control of their assets.

At Blazier, Christensen, Browder & Virr, P.C., our tax attorneys cut through the bureaucratic delays to provide realistic IRS collection help. We evaluate your specific tax debt, explain the exact documentation required, and execute a strategy to resolve the immediate crisis without making false promises.

Understanding The Difference Between Liens And Levies

Many taxpayers use these terms interchangeably, but they represent different stages of IRS enforcement. A lien secures the government’s interest, while a levy actually takes your property. Knowing which action you face determines the timeline for resolving the issue.

We help clients resolve the specific challenges of each collection method:

  • Federal tax liens: A legal claim against your property, which damages your credit and prevents you from selling real estate.
  • IRS levies: The seizure of your property, such as bank levies or wage garnishments, to pay the outstanding balance.
  • Notices of intent: Formal warning letters you receive before the government takes direct collection action against your accounts.

Understanding these distinctions is the first step toward building an effective defense against aggressive collection tactics.

Options For Federal Tax Lien Removal

If a lien prevents a property sale, you have several procedural options. The IRS will not automatically remove a lien just because it causes inconvenience. You must submit a formal request using the correct procedural channels:

  • Lien withdrawal: Removes the public notice entirely as if it never existed, which is often available if the agency filed the lien prematurely.
  • Lien release: Clears the lien after you pay the debt in full, resulting in a formal certificate of release of federal tax lien.
  • Lien discharge: Removes the IRS claim from a specific piece of property so you can sell it, while the lien remains attached to your other assets.
  • Lien subordination: Allows a new creditor to move ahead of the IRS in priority, which helps when you need to refinance a mortgage.

Each request requires precise documentation and careful negotiation with revenue officers to ensure a successful outcome.

Releasing Bank Levies And Wage Garnishments

A bank levy freezes the funds in your account for exactly 21 days before the bank sends that money to the government. This brief window is a critical opportunity to act. In certain situations, our tax attorney can negotiate an immediate release of a levy. We build cases based on several valid grounds for release:

  • Economic hardship: Proving that the seizure prevents you from meeting basic living expenses or making payroll.
  • Procedural errors: Demonstrating that the agency failed to follow proper notification protocols before seizing your financial assets.
  • Alternative arrangements: Setting up an installment agreement or an offer in compromise to satisfy the debt over time.

Resolving wage garnishments follows a similar path, but acting quickly is critical to protecting the next paycheck. If the IRS denies the release, a taxpayer may challenge the decision through the IRS Collection Appeals Program.

The IRS Fresh Start Program And Necessary Documentation

The IRS Fresh Start Program helps individual taxpayers and small business owners resolve their liabilities more easily. Eligibility depends on your total debt amount and your current compliance with tax filings. While the program offers streamlined options, seeking specific relief such as an Offer in Compromise or hardship status requires taxpayers to gather detailed financial records.

The agency may require comprehensive proof of the financial situation:

  • Recent tax returns: You must submit all unfiled returns to establish full compliance with current tax laws.
  • Financial statements: Detailed accounting of your income, expenses, and business assets using specific government forms.
  • Proof of hardship: Eviction notices, payroll ledgers, or utility shut-off warnings that demonstrate immediate financial distress.

A well-documented case helps prevent the revenue officer from rejecting your request without a thorough review.

Secure Transparent IRS Collection Help

You deserve honest answers about your tax situation, not empty guarantees. Our team at Blazier, Christensen, Browder & Virr, P.C., will assess your case, outline a realistic timeline, and deal directly with the IRS so you can get back to running your business. Call us at 512-361-2268 to schedule a thorough evaluation of your tax dispute today.