Fighting IRS Liens and Levies: The Critical Role of a Tax Attorney
IRS liens automatically attach to all of a taxpayer’s property once the tax is assessed and a demand for payment goes unanswered. It becomes public when the Service files a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL), preserving the government’s priority over other creditors.
A levy, by contrast, is the IRS’s direct seizure tool—freezing bank accounts, garnishing wages, or taking business assets after required notice. Because the agency often allows only 30 days to contest a filed NFTL or a Final Notice of Intent to Levy, prompt advice from a skilled tax attorney in Atlanta can spell the difference between temporary disruption and long‑term financial ruin.
How Liens Begin
Under 26 U.S.C. § 6321, a lien arises the moment the IRS records the unpaid balance; the NFTL simply informs the world that the government now has a secured interest in your real and personal property. Even assets you acquire after the lien attaches are encumbered, making refinancing or sales nearly impossible without the Service’s consent.
When a Levy Hits
Levy power, grounded in 26 U.S.C. § 6331, lets the IRS reach out and grab property after issuing notice and giving you a hearing opportunity. If the target is a bank account, federal rules force the bank to hold the funds for 21 days before remitting them—your last window to strike a deal.
Why the Best Tax Lawyer in Atlanta Changes the Outcome
A practitioner who has served as a former IRS attorney understands internal collection guidelines, acceptable documentation, and the discretion Revenue Officers actually have. That insight can secure a withdrawal of the NFTL upon full‑pay or bond, obtain subordination so you can refinance, or convince the Collection division to classify the debt as currently‑not‑collectible when hardship is demonstrated.
Your Immediate Step for Financial Relief
IRS collection notices are timed for maximum leverage; decisive representation prevents them from becoming financial catastrophes. Schedule a confidential consultation with our qualified tax lawyer today to protect your assets and restore peace of mind.
