Can You Get Social Security if You Owe Back Taxes?

Yes, if you owe IRS tax debt or delinquent tax debt, you can still collect Social Security. Social Security benefits paid to you are generally not stopped, although the IRS may levy part of certain payments to collect what you owe. Any amount withheld does not change the taxable portion of your benefits or your obligation to pay taxes, which depends on your taxable income and filing status. If you cannot pay the full balance, the IRS agrees in some cases to payment plans or other resolution options, while an existing tax lien or levy may continue until the debt is resolved.

At Victory Tax Lawyers, we help taxpayers nationwide resolve IRS disputes and tax debt matters. Our attorneys bring more than 10 years of experience handling tax controversy, resolution, and litigation matters, have secured over $100 million in tax relief for clients, and have assisted more than 10,000 taxpayers across all 50 states. Our results include reducing a $1 million tax liability to $16,194 through an Offer in Compromise and converting six-figure tax debts into affordable monthly payment plans as low as $25 per month. If you are facing IRS issues, contact us today for a free consultation.

This guide explains how back taxes affect your Social Security benefits, what the IRS can take, and the tax relief options you may qualify for to protect your Social Security payments.

What Are Back Taxes?

Back taxes are taxes that were not paid in full or paid at all during the year they were due. These taxes could be income taxes, payroll taxes, or even self-employment taxes. For instance, the due date for federal income tax payments is April 15 each year. However, the moment the deadline passes without complete satisfaction of the tax obligation, the IRS sees the unpaid portion as back taxes and may initiate an IRS tax levy.

In most cases, back taxes accumulate failure-to-pay penalties, failure-to-file penalties, and daily interest. Over time, what may have started as a small, unpaid debt can compound and become a major financial burden. You should also be aware that in more serious cases, taxpayers may face accuracy-related penalties or civil fraud penalties, depending on the circumstances.

Why Do I Owe Back Taxes?

Owing back taxes isn't the result of a single tax mistake. It could be due to financial hardship, oversight, or a miscommunication with the IRS. Some of the most common reasons taxpayers owe back taxes include:

• Unpaid income taxes: Taxpaying individuals who are self-employed, work freelance jobs, or earn gig income often fail to correctly estimate how much they owe. Without automatic payment withholding, which is very common with traditional W-2 employees, it's easy to fall behind on taxes if you don't estimate payments quarterly.
• Filing errors or failure to file: In a case where you fail to file your tax return, or you file it without the correct information, the IRS may file a Substitute for Return (SFR). This particular return filed by the agency doesn't capture the necessary deductions or credits you may be entitled to. So, it often results in an inflated IRS tax debt that tends to be higher than what you actually owe.
• Penalties and interest: Even if you started with a small tax debt, the IRS adds the penalty for failure to file, which is 5% per month, and failure to pay, which is 0.5% of your debt for each month. Add in compound interest, and you'll notice how the total grows faster than you may have anticipated.
• Changes in life circumstances: Divorce, job loss, illness, or simply not understanding tax obligations can all contribute in no small way to back taxes. The IRS wouldn't wait for you to catch up if you're facing any form of hardship that may have prevented you from paying your tax bill.

The agency will initiate a collection process once it determines that you owe back taxes. It starts by sending a series of notices demanding payment. These include reminder notices such as CP14, CP501 and CP503. If you fail to take action, it'll gradually escalate to a Notice of Intent to Levy, such as Letter 1058 or CP90. In a case where these legal warnings are ignored, it can trigger enforcement actions.

How Can the IRS Levy Your Social Security Benefits for Back Taxes?

The main tool the IRS uses is the Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP). This is an automated system that lets the IRS take up to 15% of each Social Security payment and apply it to your unpaid tax burden. The authority comes from Internal Revenue Code Section 6331(h), which was created by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Congress passed that law, the IRS built the automated program to run it, and Social Security payments were pulled into the system starting in 2002.

Under the FPLP, the levy is continuous. Once the levy begins, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service reduces each monthly payment by 15% and sends it to the IRS. It keeps going month after month until the account is resolved.

Not every type of Social Security money is treated the same way. Retirement and survivors benefits are subject to the automated 15% FPLP levy. For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), as of October 5, 2015, the IRS no longer levies through the FPLP, though a manual levy is still possible in some cases. On the other hand, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is exempt. SSI is a needs-based benefit, and the IRS does not levy it through the FPLP.

A quick example. A retiree collecting $2,000 a month in Social Security retirement benefits with an unresolved balance could see roughly $300 diverted to the IRS each month under the FPLP. Someone receiving only SSI, on the other hand, keeps the full payment, because that benefit is off-limits.

There are guardrails for lower-income beneficiaries. The IRS applies a Low Income Filter that generally screens out taxpayers whose income falls at or below 250% of the federal poverty level from the automated Social Security levy.

Separately, if paying would leave you unable to cover basic living expenses, you may qualify for Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status. This pauses collection while your finances are tight. There is a catch to the phrase "up to 15%," and it is worth spelling out. The automated FPLP levy under Section 6331(h) is capped at 15%. But the IRS also has a broader, older manual levy power under Section 6331(a).

A manual levy served by a revenue officer can reach more than 15% of a Social Security payment, leaving you with only the amounts the law exempts. This is not the routine path, and it usually shows up in cases involving a lack of cooperation or aggressive collection, but it is a real possibility worth understanding. If you are facing a manual levy, confirm the details with a tax professional rather than assuming the 15% ceiling applies.

How a Retired Taxpayer Protected Her Social Security Income

One of the most common situations we see involves retirees who discover that the IRS has started collecting against their Social Security benefits after years of unresolved tax debt. For example, a retired taxpayer came to Victory Tax Lawyers after receiving notice that the IRS planned to levy a portion of her monthly Social Security retirement payments. She owed a six-figure tax balance that had grown because of unpaid returns, penalties, and accumulated interest.

After reviewing her financial records, our team determined that paying the full balance would prevent her from covering essential living expenses. We helped analyze her collection options, documented her financial hardship, and worked toward a resolution that stopped aggressive collection activity while creating a manageable path forward.

This example shows why receiving a levy notice does not mean you have lost control of the situation. The right resolution depends on your income, assets, expenses, tax history, and the remaining time on the IRS collection clock.

Can Social Security Disability Benefits Be Garnished if You Owe Back Taxes?

SSDI and retirement Social Security are both Title II benefits funded by the payroll taxes you paid while working, but they serve different people. Retirement benefits go to workers who have reached retirement age. SSDI goes to workers who paid in but can no longer work because of a qualifying disability. That funding source matters, because it is what separates SSDI and retirement from SSI.

Here is where the IRS rules get specific. Supplemental Security Income is needs-based and protected. The IRS does not levy it. SSDI is technically leviable because it is a Title II benefit, but since October 5, 2015, the IRS stopped taking it automatically through the FPLP. A revenue officer can still issue a manual levy against SSDI in certain situations, so "protected" is not quite the right word. "Not automatically levied" is more accurate.

People often ask whether state law can shield these benefits. State exemption statutes can protect Social Security from private creditors, but they do not bind the federal IRS. A federal tax levy overrides state garnishment protections. So if your state shields Social Security from a credit card judgment, that same shield does not stop the IRS.

The table below sums up how each benefit type is treated. For a deeper walkthrough of disability-specific rules, see Can Social Security Disability Benefits Be Garnished?

How Long Can Social Security Benefits Be Garnished for IRS Back Taxes?

The IRS does not have unlimited time to collect. The clock is called the Collection Statute Expiration Date, or CSED, and it generally runs 10 years from the date the tax was assessed. Assessment usually happens when you file a return showing a balance, when you file an amended return, or when the IRS files a substitute return on your behalf. Once that 10-year window closes, the remaining balance generally expires, and the IRS is supposed to stop collecting, which means the levy on your Social Security ends.

That 10-year figure is the starting point, not a guarantee. Certain events pause or extend the CSED, pushing the finish line further out. This could be a pending Offer in Compromise, a requested Collection Due Process hearing, a pending installment agreement request, and so on. Each of these can toll the clock, so a debt you think is close to expiring may actually have years left. This is one of the areas where confirming your real CSED with a tax professional pays off, because the IRS calculates it based on your specific account history.

While the garnishment is running, you are not stuck waiting out a decade. Several options can reduce or halt collection: an installment agreement, an Offer in Compromise, or Currently Not Collectible status if you cannot pay without sacrificing basic living expenses. If you pay the balance in full, settle it, or have it discharged, the IRS releases the levy and your full benefit resumes.

Can Owing Back Taxes Affect Your Social Security Benefits?

 

Yes, owing back taxes can affect your Social Security benefits. In our experience, a portion of your Social Security benefits can be reduced through the Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP). So, if you're receiving these benefits, you may have assumed that the benefits are fully protected from collection. However, that is not the case for tax liability.

The IRS has the legal authority to collect unpaid tax debts, and one way the agency does so is by garnishing federal payments, including your monthly Social Security checks. It's also important to note that all Social Security benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are not treated equally. Some beneficiaries tend to be protected from levy.

Social Security Disability benefits are generally considered income. These benefits are based on your work history and the payroll taxes you paid over the years. So, in a case where you qualify for either Social Security disability payments or retirement income under this category, up to 15% of your monthly benefits can be garnished by the IRS based on federal regulations.

On the other hand, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefit that is fully protected and under no circumstances can it be garnished by the IRS. SSI is a needs-based program that aims to assist individuals with little or no income or resources by providing them with monthly payments. So, it is completely exempt from federal tax levies.

Also, be aware that the IRS doesn't withdraw funds directly from your account if you owe back taxes. Instead, they use a collection mechanism called the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). The IRS uses the Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP) to collect certain unpaid federal tax debts from eligible federal payments, including some Social Security benefits.

When your unpaid tax is reported to the TOP by the IRS, it initiates a match with your incoming Social Security benefits. Once the match is made, the program offsets up to 15% of those monthly payments toward your tax balance until it is fully resolved.

Typically, the IRS can collect back taxes within a 10-year window called the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED). So, for garnishing your Social Security benefits, take note that the offset can continue for as long as that collection statute stays open, depending on your total tax liability.

What Happens if the IRS Garnishes Your Social Security Benefits?

If the IRS garnishes your Social Security, you'll continuously receive 15% less in your monthly benefits until you've successfully paid off your tax debt. However, before garnishment begins, you must have been notified by the IRS.

After the initial reminder notices have been sent without any resolution from you, the actual collection process begins with a notice of intent to garnish Social Security benefits due to back taxes. This letter is usually sent as Forms CP91 or CP298. You have 30 days from the day the notice was sent to either pay your balance, set up a monthly payment plan, or request an appeal through a Collection Due Process hearing.

Having received the final notice of intent to levy, the IRS may go ahead with the garnishment through the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) if you ignore the notice or fail to take the necessary action within the required 30-day timeframe. The deduction will continue month after month until your debt is fully paid off.

Fortunately, an IRS Social Security levy still leaves you with options if you believe the garnishment is unfair or would cause real hardship. You can decide to:

• Request a hearing to challenge the garnishment or propose an alternative resolution, such as an Offer in Compromise or installment agreement.
• Apply for Currently Not Collectible status if you can prove that garnishment causes financial hardship.
• Seek legal representation from a tax attorney to appeal or restructure your tax debt.

Can the IRS Garnish Benefits Retroactively?

No, your Social Security benefits cannot be retroactively garnished by the IRS once they have been disbursed to your account. However, this protection only covers past payments. If you're anticipating future benefits or lump-sum back payments, the situation is different, and Social Security garnishment can still occur. So, you should understand that generally:

The IRS Cannot Seize Past Social Security Payments

Once your monthly Social Security benefit is deposited into your bank account, the IRS cannot move forward to take that money to settle your past-due taxes. Disbursed payments are considered protected if they remain in your account and are identifiable as Social Security Benefits. The federal law, under Section 207 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S. Code § 407), makes sure that previously received payments are protected from garnishment, even in the event of back taxes.

IRS Garnishment Starts With Future Payments

While disbursed payments are safe from collection, future benefits are not. Once a levy has been initiated by the IRS and the 30-day response period elapses without the reason for the intent to levy being resolved, the agency can begin to garnish your upcoming monthly Social Security benefits.

Large Overdue Social Security Benefits May Be Offset

In a case where you finally get approved for Social Security Benefits after a delay, the IRS may offset that lump-sum payment before it hits your account. The lump sum payment could be a backdated payment that covers months or even years of benefits. However, you must remember that whilst the lump sum is offset through the Treasury Offset Program (TOP), it is not a retroactive garnishment because the payment hasn't been disbursed yet at the time the levy was applied.

How Much of Your Social Security Can Be Garnished?

The IRS can garnish up to 15% of your monthly Social Security payments through the Federal Payment Levy Program for federal back taxes, and court-ordered obligations like child support and alimony can reach up to 60%. However, as we've already highlighted, the agency cannot collect back taxes through retroactive garnishment of previously disbursed payments that are already in your possession.

The garnishment only applies to Title II benefits under the Social Security Act. This means Title II benefits such as retirement Social Security and SSDI must be analyzed separately from SSI, because they follow different IRS collection rules.

In addition, though a portion of your SSDI may be garnished, it's possible for you to still owe income tax on your benefits. So, in a case where you have other sources of income, including retirement accounts, part-time wages, or even investment returns, your combined income may push you above the IRS threshold for taxable Social Security, where up to 85% of your benefits become taxable.

Once the garnishment of your Social Security benefits kicks off, it will remain in effect until you either pay off the entire back tax balance, enter a streamlined installment agreement, or qualify for tax relief options like Currently Not Collectible status or Offer in Compromise. You can also reach out to a tax professional to learn how you can stop your wage garnishment by the agency.

The 4-Step Social Security Tax Debt Protection Framework

When a Social Security recipient owes back taxes, the fastest path forward is usually not ignoring the IRS or immediately sending payments. Working through it in a set order tells you which option actually fits.

Step 1: Identify the Collection Risk

First, determine whether the IRS has only sent notices or has already started the levy process. A taxpayer receiving a CP91 or CP298 notice may have limited time before benefits are reduced.

Step 2: Calculate Your True Financial Position

Review your Social Security income, housing costs, medical expenses, retirement savings, and other obligations. The IRS evaluates your ability to pay based on your actual financial circumstances.

Step 3: Match Your Situation With the Right Resolution Option

Some taxpayers benefit from installment agreements, while others may qualify for Currently Not Collectible status or an Offer in Compromise.

Step 4: Protect Future Compliance

Resolving old tax debt is only part of the process. In our experience, staying current with future filings and payments prevents another collection problem from developing.

What Should You Do if You Owe Taxes and Get Social Security?

If you're a Social Security beneficiary and owe back taxes, you're not left without other debt resolution options. So, don't ignore the problem. The IRS has full authority to garnish part of your benefits, and failure to take action could result in prolonged financial stress.

According to the IRS Data Book, the agency collected $117.5 billion in unpaid tax assessments during Fiscal Year 2025. During the same year, taxpayers submitted 38,797 Offers in Compromise, but only 5,464 were accepted. Roughly one in seven got through, which is why the resolution route you pick matters so much. That said, there are several steps you should take to protect your income, limit accruing interest and penalties, and resolve your debt:

Step 1 – Resolve Your Tax Debt in Full

The initial step you should take if you owe taxes is to understand the exact amount you owe, including your original unpaid taxes, as well as any penalties and interest that may have accumulated over time. You can visit the IRS online portal to check your balance and get a full breakdown of your tax payments that are due.

If you're yet to file any tax returns from previous years, they must be addressed and filed. Also, you should file your back taxes as soon as possible, even if you can't afford to pay the full amount immediately. Filing helps prevent further penalties and demonstrates to the IRS that you're making an effort to get back on track.

Step 2 – Contact the IRS

Once you've reviewed your tax debts and filed any tax return you might have missed, you can contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by phone using the number listed on the most recent notice you received from the agency.

Reaching out allows you to discuss your situation, ask questions about your account, and explore tax relief options. Depending on your situation, the IRS may be able to temporarily halt collection actions or offer you other payment alternatives.

In the meantime, be aware that during filing season, the average wait time for contacting the IRS is about 3 minutes. However, outside filing season, you may have to wait about 12 minutes. Try your best to also contact the agency between 7 am and 7 pm on workdays and be prepared with your Social Security number and every relevant tax document.

Step 3 – Consider an Offer in Compromise (OIC)

An Offer in Compromise (OIC) may be available if you cannot afford to pay your full tax debt without entering into more debt or financial hardship. This IRS program allows eligible taxpayers to settle for less than the total taxes owed.

Also, remember that approval for an Offer in Compromise isn't guaranteed. However, to increase your chances of getting approval once you qualify for this tax relief option, you must correctly file Form 656 and Form 433-A (for individuals) or Form 433-B (for businesses) and provide other necessary supporting documentation.

Step 4 – Speak With a Tax Professional

While it's possible to settle with the IRS by yourself, complex cases that involve Social Security benefits garnishment may require expert assistance. In this situation, you can speak with a qualified tax professional, such as an enrolled agent or tax attorney, to gain a better understanding of your resolution options and avoid costly missteps.

Not every taxpayer needs professional representation. Some individuals with smaller balances and straightforward situations may be able to resolve their tax debt directly with the IRS through available payment options. However, cases involving Social Security levies, multiple tax years, significant penalties, or financial hardship usually need a closer review because mistakes can affect income for years.

Step 5 – Monitor Your Social Security Benefits Regularly

Make it a habit to review your Social Security benefits regularly through your account on the Social Security Administration website. Look for any reductions, changes in monthly amounts, or notations about offsets. If anything seems off, compare it with the recent IRS notice you received and contact the IRS right away for clarification.

Step 6 – Stay Current on Future Taxes

The fact that the IRS may be willing to negotiate your back tax debt doesn't necessarily imply that they'll keep extending grace if you fall behind in future taxes. So, once you've reached a negotiation with the IRS, be sure to stay compliant with future taxes going forward. This means filing tax returns on time and making your quarterly estimated tax payments if you're self-employed.

And if you're employed, you should verify that your employer is withholding the correct amount from your paycheck. Remaining compliant prevents future enforcement and protects your benefits from being targeted again.

What If You're Already Living on Low Income or Fixed Income?

If you're already living on a low or fixed income and barely able to cover your basic needs, including rent or groceries, you may qualify for an IRS hardship program. This implies that the IRS may temporarily pause collection activities by classifying your account as Currently Not Collectible (CNC).

The CNC status is basically for taxpayers whose financial situation makes it impossible for them to comfortably pay back taxes. It also captures individuals who are disabled or retired and depend solely on Social Security benefits.

To qualify for this status, you'll need to submit a financial hardship request Form 433-A or 433-F, which covers your income, living expenses, and any assets. Once the IRS reviews the form, it can then determine whether the collection would leave you unable to afford essentials like housing, medical care, or food.

Should there be a case where your CNC status request isn't granted after the review, you may still qualify for a low-income installment agreement. This agreement allows you to pay back your tax debt in small, manageable monthly installments based on your financial capacity. Either way, just remember that you've not run out of alternative options, especially if you speak with a tax attorney who can help tailor the right strategy for your income level.

What Happens if You Ignore Your Back Taxes?

If you ignore your back taxes, they won't go away. Instead, they will only trigger IRS collection actions that could put your income and any property you own at risk. The enforcement actions you may face include:

• Bank levies: The IRS may go ahead to freeze and seize funds directly from your bank account. In turn, this can disrupt your ability to pay rent, buy groceries, or handle any unexpected emergencies that may arise.
• Federal tax liens: A lien is a legal claim the government places on your property. It can damage your credit score, which will make it difficult for you to refinance a home, sell assets, or secure new lines of credit.
• Seizure of physical assets: If the IRS cannot collect through Social Security or bank levies, it may proceed to seize physical assets, such as your car, real estate, or any other valuable property you own.
• Passport restrictions: In a situation where you owe over $64,000 in back taxes and need to get a passport, the IRS can certify your delinquent tax debt to the U.S. State Department. Once this happens, your passport application may be denied, or your passport renewal may be revoked.
• Ineligibility for future tax refunds: Any future tax refunds you're entitled to may be intercepted and applied toward your pending tax through the Treasury Offset Program.
• Increased penalties and interest: The longer you ignore your tax debt, the more your balance grows. Interest accrues daily, and additional penalties are tacked on for late filing or payment. All of these will automatically increase your total tax bill.

What Are Your Options If the IRS Is Garnishing Your Social Security for Back Taxes?

A levy notice reads like the end of the road. It isn't. The most common starting point is the IRS Fresh Start Program, a set of IRS policy changes first rolled out in 2011 and expanded in 2012 that made it easier to resolve tax debt. Fresh Start is not one application; it is a group of tools including streamlined installment agreements, Offer in Compromise, and penalty relief. Some taxpayers qualify to have certain penalties reduced or removed.

Getting into an approved resolution matters for a practical reason: once an installment agreement, an Offer in Compromise under review, or CNC status is in place, active collection actions like levies generally stop. In our experience, that is often the fastest way to get the 15% back into your monthly check.

A tax attorney or resolution firm can negotiate a payment plan or an offer, request a levy release, and push for CNC status when your income cannot absorb the hit. They can also protect your appeal rights. When the IRS sends a Final Notice of Intent to Levy, you generally have 30 days to request a Collection Due Process hearing, which can stop the levy while your case is reviewed. Miss that window and you lose a valuable option, so the timing on your levy notice is not something to sit on.

If the IRS is threatening or already taking part of your Social Security, the tax resolution team at Victory Tax Law can review your notice, confirm your real collection timeline, and work directly with the IRS on the option that fits your situation. Reaching out early, before the next levy hits, gives you the most room to work with.

"Many Social Security recipients assume the IRS can immediately take everything they receive, or they assume the government cannot touch their benefits at all. Both beliefs are incorrect," says Parham Khorsandi. "The key is understanding what type of benefit you receive, where you are in the collection process, and which resolution option fits your financial situation."

Is the IRS Threatening Your Social Security Over Back Taxes?

A levy on your Social Security is stressful, but it is rarely the end of the story. Between the Fresh Start options, appeal rights, hardship protections, and a collection clock that does eventually run out, there is almost always a path to reducing or stopping the garnishment. The sooner you act, especially if you are holding a Final Notice of Intent to Levy with a 30-day deadline, the more options stay open.

With over $100 million saved for clients since 2017, Victory Tax Lawyers, a Los Angeles-based tax firm, delivers experienced legal help you can count on to get real tax solutions. Get the honest, effective tax assistance you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation today!

Frequently Asked Questions

In the process of writing this blog, we came across a few commonly asked questions. We did our best to answer them.

Does the IRS Forgive Debt After 10 Years?

Generally, yes. The IRS has about 10 years from the date of assessment to collect, and after that Collection Statute Expiration Date, the remaining balance usually expires. Certain events, like a pending Offer in Compromise, bankruptcy, a Collection Due Process hearing, or extended time abroad, can pause or extend that clock, so confirm your actual date with a tax professional.

Does the IRS Go After Senior Citizens?

Age alone does not exempt anyone, so seniors who owe back taxes can face a levy on retirement benefits. That said, lower-income seniors may be screened out by the Low Income Filter (income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level) or may qualify for Currently Not Collectible status if paying would prevent covering basic living expenses.

Will I Lose All My Social Security if I Owe the IRS?

No, you won't lose all your Social Security benefits if you owe the IRS. The agency can garnish no more than 15% of your monthly Social Security retirement payment through the Federal Payment Levy Program if you owe back taxes.

Can Social Security Disability Be Garnished Too?

SSDI is technically leviable because it is a Title II benefit, but since October 5, 2015, the IRS no longer takes it automatically through the Federal Payment Levy Program. A revenue officer can still issue a manual levy against SSDI in certain cases, so the accurate description is "not automatically levied" rather than "protected."

Does This Affect Supplemental Security Income?

No, your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are not subject to IRS garnishment for back taxes. SSI is a needs-based program and is generally protected from collection under federal law.

How Can I Stop the IRS From Garnishing My Social Security Benefits?

To stop the IRS from garnishing your Social Security benefits, you can request a payment plan, apply for Currently Not Collectible status, or an Offer in Compromise. Contacting a tax attorney who can help you identify the best solution for your situation is also a good option.

Are Social Security Benefits Considered Income for Tax Purposes?

Yes, Social Security benefits are considered income for tax purposes. Keep in mind that depending on your total income, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. This is different from garnishment and applies to your federal income tax return.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Reading it or contacting Victory Tax Law does not create an attorney-client relationship. IRS rules, levy limits, collection timelines, and program eligibility depend on your individual facts and can change over time. Consult a licensed tax attorney or qualified tax professional about your specific situation before acting.