When a Wage Garnishment Strikes in South Texas, It’s Immediate — and Severe
When the IRS starts garnishing wages in South Texas, people feel it instantly.
Many families rely on one primary income. The cost of living may be more manageable than other states, but the margin is still tight. One missed paycheck can throw off rent, electricity, and groceries.
A 20–25% IRS garnishment can become catastrophic.
Some people find out from HR.
Some discover it only after seeing their drastically reduced paycheck.
The very first thought is:
“How fast can I stop this?”
The truth:
Faster than most South Texans expect — if the right steps are taken immediately.
How an IRS Wage Levy Actually Begins
An IRS levy can only begin after the IRS sends a sequence of notices, culminating in:
Final Notice of Intent to Levy + Notice of Your Right to a Hearing
Once that final notice expires, the IRS gains full authority to contact your employer.
They do not need a court order.
They do not need your permission.
And they often notify your employer before notifying you.
The South Texas Challenges That Make Garnishments Worse
South Texas has unique financial challenges the IRS rarely accounts for correctly:
High medical expenses for families with chronic illness
Irregular paychecks for oil, energy, and trade workers
Seasonal employment fluctuations
Large multigenerational households with complex expenses
Childcare and elder-care burdens not covered by IRS national standards
Disaster recovery costs after hurricanes or flooding
All of these can be used to request a levy release — but only if presented properly.
The Crucial First Step: Contacting the Right IRS Division
Not all IRS offices handle levies.
Some are:
Automated Collection System (ACS)
Revenue officers
Local field offices
Regional enforcement
Specialized hardship units
Calling the wrong division leads to delays, denial, or contradictory instructions.
COTTS Law’s first job is knowing exactly which IRS division is controlling your levy — and how to approach them.
How a Garnishment Can Be Released Quickly
There are several legitimate ways to stop a levy, depending on the situation.
1. Hardship-Based Release (One of the Fastest)
If the levy prevents you from paying:
Housing
Utilities
Food
Transportation
Medical care
Childcare
…the IRS is obligated to reconsider.
South Texas hardship cases often move fast because real living costs are high and margins are thin.
2. Filing Missing or Non-Filed Tax Returns
Many garnishments occur because returns are missing.
The IRS becomes aggressive when they lack accurate data.
Filing the return signals cooperation and can lead to a temporary release.
3. Temporary Collection Hold
A hold temporarily pauses the levy while the taxpayer:
Gathers financial documentation
Gets into compliance
Works with a representative
Prepares a long-term resolution
Holds can stop the garnishment before the next paycheck hits.
4. Setting Up an Installment Agreement
If a reasonable monthly payment plan is established, the IRS may release the levy in exchange for consistent payments.
5. Offer in Compromise (Settlement)
If the taxpayer qualifies for a settlement, the IRS may pause enforcement while the OIC is prepared or reviewed.
6. Appeal of IRS Procedures
If the IRS sent notices to an old address or skipped steps, a levy can be halted completely.
What the IRS Needs Before Releasing a Levy
The IRS requires a full snapshot of your finances:
Three months of pay stubs
Rent/mortgage statements
Utility bills
Bank statements
Childcare expenses
Medical bills
Car loans
Insurance premiums
Proof of dependents
When this information is organized and accurate, the IRS moves faster.
Why South Texas Cases Often Resolve Quickly
South Texas households often have higher actual expenses than the IRS’s “national standards” allow.
With proper documentation, COTTS Law can often expand allowable expenses, proving that the levy causes financial hardship — which is grounds for release.
After the Levy Is Released
Stopping the levy is step one.
Preventing it from coming back is step two.
Long-term solutions include:
Offer in Compromise
Modified installment agreement
Currently Not Collectible
Penalty abatement
Audit reconsideration
Fresh Start programs
The goal is to stabilize your finances permanently — not temporarily.
Final Thought
An IRS wage garnishment is overwhelming, but it is not permanent and it is not hopeless.
With the right steps, it can be stopped quickly — often within days.
COTTS Law understands how IRS enforcement works in Texas and knows how to present hardship, compliance, and financial reality in a way that leads to fast, effective relief.
