-- HOUSTON, TX — Taxpayers who receive a Final Notice of Intent to Levy from the IRS have a 30-day window to act before their employer is legally required to begin withholding wages — and unlike ordinary debt collectors, the IRS is not capped at 25% of disposable income.
According to Mixon Tax Law, PLLC, a boutique Houston tax law firm, the IRS can take 50% to 70% of a taxpayer's net pay depending on filing status and dependents, using a fixed exempt-amount table rather than a percentage cap. The firm reports a rise in Houston-area taxpayers unaware of how quickly this process moves once a notice is issued.
"Most people don't realize the IRS doesn't need a court order to garnish wages," said Phillip Mixon, founder of Mixon Tax Law and a dual-qualified attorney and Certified Public Accountant. "A Final Notice of Intent to Levy and 30 days of silence is legally sufficient. By the time most people call, the garnishment has already started."
Garnishment continues every pay period until the debt is resolved through one of several paths: full payment, an installment agreement, Currently Not Collectible status, an Offer in Compromise, or a successful procedural appeal. In every case, the IRS requires all past-due tax returns to be filed before it will negotiate a release — a requirement that frequently catches taxpayers off guard and extends the process longer than necessary.
Mixon Tax Law represents individuals and businesses across Houston and nationwide in IRS collection matters, audits, and disputes, combining Phillip Mixon's Big Four accounting background with attorney-level representation. The firm published a detailed guide to the wage garnishment process at https://mixontaxlaw.com/irs-wage-garnishment/, covering exempt amounts, release options, and what to do within the 30-day window.
Taxpayers with questions about an active or pending garnishment can find more information on the firm's IRS collection matters practice at https://mixontaxlaw.com/practice-areas/irs-collection-matters/, or schedule a consultation directly at https://mixontaxlaw.com/contact-us/.
Looking ahead, Mixon Tax Law expects continued IRS enforcement activity in 2026 as collection efforts ramp back up following recent staffing and funding changes at the agency, making early intervention increasingly valuable for taxpayers who receive a notice.
For more information, visit https://mixontaxlaw.com/irs-wage-garnishment/.
Contact Info:
Name: Phillip Mixon
Email: Send Email
Organization: Mixon Tax Law
Address: 2000 S Dairy Ashford Rd Suite 298, Houston, Texas 77077, United States
Website: https://mixontaxlaw.com/
Release ID: 89203298