Wage Garnishments - When the IRS Comes Down on You Hard

We are extremely money dependent. I probablyIRS does not have to do much to place a
don't have to tell you that, but you may notgarnishment, but they do at least have to give
realize just how quickly you will need it when it isyou notice it is coming. In fact, the Agency has to
gone. This is why the wage garnishment is such agive you a 30 day notice to come to a hearing on
powerful tool when wielded like a battle axe in athe issue first. If you blew it off, well, then you
Lord of the Rings movie by the IRS.need to look in the mirror when placing blame.
What is a wage garnishment? Well, the name nailsThe real problem with wage garnishments is the
it. It is the withholding of part of your paycheckamount of the check taken. It depends on your
for the payment of an outstanding debt. This canspecific situation, how often you are paid, the
occur when you lose a lawsuit, but is morenumber of dependents you have and so on.
common a tool the IRS employees. It is aHowever the formula works out, the numbers
powerful tool as well.are usually brutal. For instance, a single person
It's Friday, the 29th of the month and you arewith no dependents will have everything but $729
going to head out to have a drink with yourtaken out of their check. Yes, you read that right.
co-workers. Paychecks are handed out aroundIt is a big chunk of your income and will continue
four. Hey, why is your only half of the normalto be taken out until the tax debt is paid.
amount? You hustle over to the HR departmentAs you can imagine, this kind of financial constraint
and are asked to close the door. Your told aboutis too much for most people. Most usually end up
the IRS garnishment notice. Before you startcontacting the agency and seeking another option.
yelling at the HR people, keep in mind they haveSometimes they get relief. Sometimes they don't.
no choice but to honor it.This is why should always negotiate with the IRS
In the real world, you would already know aboutbefore things get to the garnishment level.
the wage garnishment before it happened. The