Reply #16: It's an IRS scare tactic. he needs to talk to the IRS, or an attorney [View All]

I do payroll for my company, and we got a letter like that for one of our employees. The employee called them and worked out a pay schedule that was rough, but not nearly as rough as taking all his wages. The IRS is just trying to get him to work with them. He should, too, because once the IRS has ordered an employer to withhold wages, the employer has to, and any new employer will get the same court order. He needs to work out repayment with the IRS.

As for what the IRS can do... The letter we received didn't actually order us to take ALL of the check, it gave a set amount, IIRC, which was larger than his check, but then said the employer could adjust the amount to leave a certain very small amount for his living expenses. Your friend is probably exagerating or hasn't read the letter completely. But they can take most of it, until he works something out. Remember, tax evasion is a crime, so his alternative could be jail. It's not the same as blowing off a credit card company.