Many taxpayers confuse an IRS levy with an IRS lien, but they are very different. A levy allows the IRS to take money from your bank account or wages, while a lien is a legal claim against your assets that can lead to seizure if the debt is not resolved.

IRS Help guides taxpayers in identifying which action the IRS has taken, reviewing how it affects their income or assets, and communicating with the IRS to move toward a practical resolution.