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IRS Letter 668-W: Wage Levy and What Employees Should Do

Plain-English tax relief guide to Letter 668-W: why it matters, what to check first, how to respond yourself, and when professional IRS tax debt help may be worth it.

Letter 668-W can feel intimidating because IRS mail usually arrives with deadlines, dollar amounts, and unfamiliar language. This Tax Relief Help guide explains wage garnishment in plain English, how to check whether the IRS is right, and which tax debt relief steps a consumer can start on their own.

What this IRS item means

Letter 668-W is commonly used for a wage levy sent to an employer.

Why you may have received it

It means the IRS is collecting unpaid tax from wages after prior collection notices.

What to do first

Get a copy from payroll, review exemptions, and contact the IRS about release or a collection alternative.

How it connects to tax debt relief

A wage levy can sometimes be released or modified when a taxpayer sets up a resolution or proves economic hardship.

DIY checklist

  • Confirm the exact notice or letter number, tax year, taxpayer name, and IRS deadline.
  • Create a folder with the IRS notice, filed return, payment confirmations, transcripts, bank proof, and any prior IRS letters.
  • Compare the IRS position to your own records before paying, signing, or agreeing to changes.
  • If you owe and cannot pay in full, review payment plan, penalty relief, hardship, appeal, or offer options before the deadline.
  • Send responses using the IRS method shown in the notice or instructions and keep proof of delivery.

Documents to gather before responding

  • The IRS notice or current version of the form
  • A copy of the tax return for the year involved
  • IRS account and wage/income transcripts when records are incomplete
  • Proof of payments, withholding, estimated taxes, or deposits
  • Financial records if you are asking for a payment plan, hardship status, or offer review
  • Copies of anything mailed, faxed, uploaded, or discussed by phone

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Do not quit a job just to avoid a levy; the tax problem still needs to be resolved.
  • Missing the response date or assuming a later phone call will fix the deadline.
  • Sending original records instead of copies.
  • Making a payment without confirming the right year and account when a misapplied payment may be the real issue.
  • Hiring help before understanding what the IRS is actually asking for.

When a tax debt attorney may help

This is the type of IRS issue where professional help can be especially useful. A tax debt attorney can review deadlines, communicate with the IRS, evaluate appeal rights, and help choose between payment plan, hardship, offer, lien, levy, or dispute options.

Official IRS and TAS resources

Important: This guide is educational and is not legal or tax advice. Always follow the instructions and deadlines on your IRS notice or current IRS form instructions.

For more plain-English help with notices, payment plans, and IRS collection issues, visit our IRS tax relief resources.