How Often Can The IRS Levy My Bank Account?

December, 16 2025 by Charla Suaste

It’s one of the most frightening things a taxpayer can experience: discovering your bank account has been frozen, or worse, drained by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This is known as a bank levy. If this has happened to you, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed and asking a critical question: How often can the IRS do this?

The short answer, unfortunately, is not what you want to hear: there is no specific limit on how often the IRS can levy your bank account. Basically, they can until your tax debt is paid in full.

What is a bank levy?

A bank levy is a one-time seizure. The IRS starts this process by sending a Notice of Levy (Form 668-A) to your bank. The bank is then legally required to freeze the funds in your account (up to the amount you owe) and hold them for 21 days. After that holding period, if the issue remains unresolved, the money is transferred to the IRS.

Here’s an important point: If you deposit more money into the account after the first levy is complete, the IRS can issue a new levy at any time, repeating the process until the balance is zero. They don’t need to wait six months or a year; they simply need to follow the proper legal notification steps again.

We know this is not what you want to hear – but we are here to help. Immediate action is crucial, so please read on to explore your options.

Final Notice of Intent to Levy

If your bank account has been levied, it means you have already received the IRS's most serious warning: a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing.

The IRS cannot levy your bank account without first sending you this final notice, at least 30 days before the levy is executed. This letter is crucial because it serves as your final opportunity to resolve the debt and prevent the action. It outlines the amount you owe and confirms your right to appeal the levy decision.

Your Critical Next Steps

Contact the IRS immediately: If the levy hasn't been executed yet, you or your representative must contact the IRS immediately to let them know you want to resolve the issue and discuss alternative options.
Explore Relief Options: The goal is to pursue some form of tax debt relief option, such as Currently Not Collectible status, setting up an Installment Agreement, or seeing if you qualify for an Offer in Compromise (a settlement for less than the full amount owed). The IRS offers these programs because their aim is never to resort to collections. Although it may not seem like it, the IRS prefers working with taxpayers to develop a plan that works for everyone before it reaches the point where a levy has to be imposed.
Seek Professional Assistance: Navigating the IRS Collections Division and understanding various tax debt relief options can feel overwhelming, especially when under extreme stress. A tax professional can communicate with the IRS on your behalf, protect your rights, and guide you toward the best resolution.

Don't wait for the IRS to issue another levy. Take control of your debt today. At TaxAudit, our Tax Debt Relief services are designed to assist taxpayers facing aggressive collection actions. If you are dealing with a current or threatened bank levy, our experts are ready to step in and find a solution.

Learn more about your options for resolving this collection by contacting our Tax Debt Relief team for a no-obligation consultation today.