In the case of individuals and businesses, which are unable, to comply with the tax laws regarding payment of taxes the taxing bodies have a variety of statutory powers to provide “encouragement” to the individual or business to remit payment of their “fair share.”

Both the United States government and the State of Illinois have statutory power to levy and lien on property of individuals with tax liabilities. The United States Congress has given the Internal Revenue Service the power of “distraint and seizure by any means” (26 U.S.C. § 6331 – See Statute Below). The statutory “levy” authorized by Congress attaches to any and all property, or rights to property, belonging to an individual with a tax liability or the property is surrendered (26 U.S.C. § 6332 – See Statute Below). Additionally, if any person determined to owe any tax neglects or refuses to pay the liability after a demand has been made, the amount, including any interest, additional amount, addition to tax, or assessable penalty, together with any costs that may also accrue, shall be a lien in favor of the United States upon all property and rights to property, whether real or personal, belonging to that person (26 U.S.C. § 6321- See Statute Below). The legislature in Illinois has given similar authority to the Illinois Department of Revenue (35 ILCS 5/1101 and 1109 – See Statute Below).

The authorized levy and lien powers are quire broad and left unresolved generally result in immediate and long term financial hardship and often times financial ruin. Avoid severe consequences by contacting our tax professionals to arrange for a free basic consultation.

SELECTED STATUTES: FEDERAL
TITLE 26, Subtitle F, CHAPTER 64, Subchapter D, PART II, § 6331
§ 6331. Levy and Distraint

(a) Authority of Secretary
If any person liable to pay any tax neglects or refuses to pay the same within 10 days after notice and demand, it shall be lawful for the Secretary to collect such tax (and such further sum as shall be sufficient to cover the expenses of the levy) by levy upon all property and rights to property (except such property as is exempt under section 6334) belonging to such person or on which there is a lien provided in this chapter for the payment of such tax. Levy may be made upon the accrued salary or wages of any officer, employee, or elected official, of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any agency or instrumentality of the United States or the District of Columbia, by serving a notice of levy on the employer (as defined in section 3401(d)) of such officer, employee, or elected official. If the Secretary makes a finding that the collection of such tax is in jeopardy, notice and demand for immediate payment of such tax may be made by the Secretary and, upon failure or refusal to pay such tax, collection thereof by levy shall be lawful without regard to the 10-day period provided in this section.
(b) Seizure and sale of property
The term “levy” as used in this title includes the power of distraint and seizure by any means. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e), a levy shall extend only to property possessed and obligations existing at the time thereof. In any case in which the Secretary may levy upon property or rights to property, he may seize and sell such property or rights to property (whether real or personal, tangible or intangible).
(c) Successive seizures
Whenever any property or right to property upon which levy has been made by virtue of subsection (a) is not sufficient to satisfy the claim of the United States for which levy is made, the Secretary may, thereafter, and as often as may be necessary, proceed to levy in like manner upon any other property liable to levy of the person against whom such claim exists, until the amount due from him, together with all expenses, is fully paid.
(d) Requirement of notice before levy
(1) In general
Levy may be made under subsection (a) upon the salary or wages or other property of any person with respect to any unpaid tax only after the Secretary has notified such person in writing of his intention to make such levy.
(2) 30-day requirement
The notice required under paragraph (1) shall be—
(A) given in person,
(B) left at the dwelling or usual place of business of such person, or
(C) sent by certified or registered mail to such persons’s last known address,
no less than 30 days before the day of the levy.
(3) Jeopardy
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a levy if the Secretary has made a finding under the last sentence of subsection (a) that the collection of tax is in jeopardy.
(4) Information included with notice
The notice required under paragraph (1) shall include a brief statement which sets forth in simple and nontechnical terms—
(A) the provisions of this title relating to levy and sale of property,
(B) the procedures applicable to the levy and sale of property under this title,
(C) the administrative appeals available to the taxpayer with respect to such levy and sale and the procedures relating to such appeals,
(D) the alternatives available to taxpayers which could prevent levy on the property (including installment agreements under section 6159),
(E) the provisions of this title relating to redemption of property and release of liens on property, and
(F) the procedures applicable to the redemption of property and the release of a lien on property under this title.
(e) Continuing levy on salary and wages
The effect of a levy on salary or wages payable to or received by a taxpayer shall be continuous from the date such levy is first made until such levy is released under section 6343.
(f) Uneconomical levy
No levy may be made on any property if the amount of the expenses which the Secretary estimates (at the time of levy) would be incurred by the Secretary with respect to the levy and sale of such property exceeds the fair market value of such property at the time of levy.
(g) Levy on appearance date of summons
(1) In general
No levy may be made on the property of any person on any day on which such person (or officer or employee of such person) is required to appear in response to a summons issued by the Secretary for the purpose of collecting any underpayment of tax.
(2) No application in case of jeopardy
This subsection shall not apply if the Secretary finds that the collection of tax is in jeopardy.
(h) Continuing levy on certain payments
(1) In general
If the Secretary approves a levy under this subsection, the effect of such levy on specified payments to or received by a taxpayer shall be continuous from the date such levy is first made until such levy is released. Notwithstanding section 6334, such continuous levy shall attach to up to 15 percent of any specified payment due to the taxpayer.
(2) Specified payment
For the purposes of paragraph (1), the term “specified payment” means—
(A) any Federal payment other than a payment for which eligibility is based on the income or assets (or both) of a payee,
(B) any payment described in paragraph (4), (7), (9), or (11) of section 6334 (a), and
(C) any annuity or pension payment under the Railroad Retirement Act or benefit under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.
(3) Increase in levy for certain payments
Paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting “100 percent” for “15 percent” in the case of any specified payment due to a vendor of goods or services sold or leased to the Federal Government.
(i) No levy during pendency of proceedings for refund of divisible tax
(1) In general
No levy may be made under subsection (a) on the property or rights to property of any person with respect to any unpaid divisible tax during the pendency of any proceeding brought by such person in a proper Federal trial court for the recovery of any portion of such divisible tax which was paid by such person if—
(A) the decision in such proceeding would be res judicata with respect to such unpaid tax; or
(B) such person would be collaterally estopped from contesting such unpaid tax by reason of such proceeding.
(2) Divisible tax
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “divisible tax” means—
(A) any tax imposed by subtitle C; and
(B) the penalty imposed by section 6672 with respect to any such tax.
(3) Exceptions
(A) Certain unpaid taxes
This subsection shall not apply with respect to any unpaid tax if—
(i) the taxpayer files a written notice with the Secretary which waives the restriction imposed by this subsection on levy with respect to such tax; or
(ii) the Secretary finds that the collection of such tax is in jeopardy.
(B) Certain levies
This subsection shall not apply to—
(i) any levy to carry out an offset under section 6402; and
(ii) any levy which was first made before the date that the applicable proceeding under this subsection commenced.
(4) Limitation on collection activity; authority to enjoin collection
(A) Limitation on collection
No proceeding in court for the collection of any unpaid tax to which paragraph (1) applies shall be begun by the Secretary during the pendency of a proceeding under such paragraph. This subparagraph shall not apply to—
(i) any counterclaim in a proceeding under such paragraph; or
(ii) any proceeding relating to a proceeding under such paragraph.
(B) Authority to enjoin
Notwithstanding section 7421 (a), a levy or collection proceeding prohibited by this subsection may be enjoined (during the period such prohibition is in force) by the court in which the proceeding under paragraph (1) is brought.
(5) Suspension of statute of limitations on collection
The period of limitations under section 6502 shall be suspended for the period during which the Secretary is prohibited under this subsection from making a levy.
(6) Pendency of proceeding
For purposes of this subsection, a proceeding is pending beginning on the date such proceeding commences and ending on the date that a final order or judgment from which an appeal may be taken is entered in such proceeding.
(j) No levy before investigation of status of property
(1) In general
For purposes of applying the provisions of this subchapter, no levy may be made on any property or right to property which is to be sold under section 6335 until a thorough investigation of the status of such property has been completed.
(2) Elements in investigation
For purposes of paragraph (1), an investigation of the status of any property shall include—
(A) a verification of the taxpayer’s liability;
(B) the completion of an analysis under subsection (f);
(C) the determination that the equity in such property is sufficient to yield net proceeds from the sale of such property to apply to such liability; and
(D) a thorough consideration of alternative collection methods.
(k) No levy while certain offers pending or installment agreement pending or in effect
(1) Offer-in-compromise pending
No levy may be made under subsection (a) on the property or rights to property of any person with respect to any unpaid tax—
(A) during the period that an offer-in-compromise by such person under section 7122 of such unpaid tax is pending with the Secretary; and
(B) if such offer is rejected by the Secretary, during the 30 days thereafter (and, if an appeal of such rejection is filed within such 30 days, during the period that such appeal is pending).
For purposes of subparagraph (A), an offer is pending beginning on the date the Secretary accepts such offer for processing.
(2) Installment agreements
No levy may be made under subsection (a) on the property or rights to property of any person with respect to any unpaid tax—
(A) during the period that an offer by such person for an installment agreement under section 6159 for payment of such unpaid tax is pending with the Secretary;
(B) if such offer is rejected by the Secretary, during the 30 days thereafter (and, if an appeal of such rejection is filed within such 30 days, during the period that such appeal is pending);
(C) during the period that such an installment agreement for payment of such unpaid tax is in effect; and
(D) if such agreement is terminated by the Secretary, during the 30 days thereafter (and, if an appeal of such termination is filed within such 30 days, during the period that such appeal is pending).
(3) Certain rules to apply
Rules similar to the rules of—
(A) paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (i), and
(B) except in the case of paragraph (2)(C), paragraph (5) of subsection (i),
shall apply for purposes of this subsection.
(l) Cross references
(1) For provisions relating to jeopardy, see subchapter A of chapter 70.
(2) For proceedings applicable to sale of seized property see section 6335.
(3) For release and notice of release of levy, see section 6343.

TITLE 26, Subtitle F, CHAPTER 64, Subchapter D, PART II, § 6332§ 6332. Surrender of Property Subject to Levy

(a) Requirement
Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person in possession of (or obligated with respect to) property or rights to property subject to levy upon which a levy has been made shall, upon demand of the Secretary, surrender such property or rights (or discharge such obligation) to the Secretary, except such part of the property or rights as is, at the time of such demand, subject to an attachment or execution under any judicial process.
(b) Special rule for life insurance and endowment contracts
(1) In general
A levy on an organization with respect to a life insurance or endowment contract issued by such organization shall, without necessity for the surrender of the contract document, constitute a demand by the Secretary for payment of the amount described in paragraph (2) and the exercise of the right of the person against whom the tax is assessed to the advance of such amount. Such organization shall pay over such amount 90 days after service of notice of levy. Such notice shall include a certification by the Secretary that a copy of such notice has been mailed to the person against whom the tax is assessed at his last known address.
(2) Satisfaction of levy
Such levy shall be deemed to be satisfied if such organization pays over to the Secretary the amount which the person against whom the tax is assessed could have had advanced to him by such organization on the date prescribed in paragraph (1) for the satisfaction of such levy, increased by the amount of any advance (including contractual interest thereon) made to such person on or after the date such organization had actual notice or knowledge (within the meaning of section 6323(i)(1)) of the existence of the lien with respect to which such levy is made, other than an advance (including contractual interest thereon) made automatically to maintain such contract in force under an agreement entered into before such organization had such notice or knowledge.
(3) Enforcement proceedings
The satisfaction of a levy under paragraph (2) shall be without prejudice to any civil action for the enforcement of any lien imposed by this title with respect to such contract.
(c) Special rule for banks
Any bank (as defined in section 408 (n)) shall surrender (subject to an attachment or execution under judicial process) any deposits (including interest thereon) in such bank only after 21 days after service of levy.
(d) Enforcement of levy
(1) Extent of personal liability
Any person who fails or refuses to surrender any property or rights to property, subject to levy, upon demand by the Secretary, shall be liable in his own person and estate to the United States in a sum equal to the value of the property or rights not so surrendered, but not exceeding the amount of taxes for the collection of which such levy has been made, together with costs and interest on such sum at the underpayment rate established under section 6621 from the date of such levy (or, in the case of a levy described in section 6331 (d)(3), from the date such person would otherwise have been obligated to pay over such amounts to the taxpayer). Any amount (other than costs) recovered under this paragraph shall be credited against the tax liability for the collection of which such levy was made.
(2) Penalty for violation
In addition to the personal liability imposed by paragraph (1), if any person required to surrender property or rights to property fails or refuses to surrender such property or rights to property without reasonable cause, such person shall be liable for a penalty equal to 50 percent of the amount recoverable under paragraph (1). No part of such penalty shall be credited against the tax liability for the collection of which such levy was made.
(e) Effect of honoring levy
Any person in possession of (or obligated with respect to) property or rights to property subject to levy upon which a levy has been made who, upon demand by the Secretary, surrenders such property or rights to property (or discharges such obligation) to the Secretary (or who pays a liability under subsection (d)(1)) shall be discharged from any obligation or liability to the delinquent taxpayer and any other person with respect to such property or rights to property arising from such surrender or payment.
(f) Person defined
The term “person,” as used in subsection (a), includes an officer or employee of a corporation or a member or employee of a partnership, who as such officer, employee, or member is under a duty to surrender the property or rights to property, or to discharge the obligation.

TITLE 26, Subtitle F, CHAPTER 64, Subchapter C, PART II, § 6321
§ 6321. Lien for Taxes

If any person liable to pay any tax neglects or refuses to pay the same after demand, the amount (including any interest, additional amount, addition to tax, or assessable penalty, together with any costs that may accrue in addition thereto) shall be a lien in favor of the United States upon all property and rights to property, whether real or personal, belonging to such person.

SELECTED STATUTES: ILLINOIS
REVENUE
(35 ILCS 5/) Illinois Income Tax Act.
ARTICLE 11. LIENS AND JEOPARDY ASSESSMENT.
(35 ILCS 5/1101) (from Ch. 120, par. 11‑1101)

Sec. 1101. Lien for Tax. (a) If any person liable to pay any tax neglects or refuses to pay the same after demand, the amount (including any interest, additional amount, addition to tax, or assessable penalty, together with any costs that may accrue in addition thereto) shall be a lien in favor of the State of Illinois upon all property and rights to property, whether real or personal, belonging to such person.
(b) Unless another date is specifically fixed by law, the lien imposed by subsection (a) of this Section shall arise at the time the assessment is made and shall continue until the liability for the amount so assessed (or a judgment against the taxpayer arising out of such liability) is satisfied or becomes unenforceable by reason of lapse of time.
(c) Deficiency procedure. If the lien arises from an assessment pursuant to a notice of deficiency, such lien shall not attach and the notice referred to in this section shall not be filed until all proceedings in court for review of such assessment have terminated or the time for the taking thereof has expired without such proceedings being instituted.
(d) Notice of lien. The lien created by assessment shall terminate unless a notice of lien is filed, as provided in section 1103 hereof, within 3 years from the date all proceedings in court for the review of such assessment have terminated or the time for the taking thereof has expired without such proceedings being instituted. Where the lien results from the filing of a return without payment of the tax or penalty shown therein to be due, the lien shall terminate unless a notice of lien is filed within 3 years from the date such return was filed with the Department. For the purposes of this subsection (c), a tax return filed before the last day prescribed by law, including any extension thereof, shall be deemed to have been filed on such last day.
(Source: P.A. 86‑905.)

(35 ILCS 5/1109) (from Ch. 120, par. 11‑1109)
Sec. 1109. Demand and Seizure. In addition to any other remedy provided for by the laws of this State, if the tax imposed by this Act is not paid within the time required by this Act, the Department, or some person designated by it, may cause a demand to be made on the taxpayer for the payment thereof. If such tax remains unpaid for 10 days after such demand has been made and no proceedings have been taken to review the same, the Department may issue a warrant directed to any sheriff or other person authorized to serve process, commanding the sheriff or other person to levy upon the property and rights to property (whether real or personal, tangible or intangible) of the taxpayer, without exemption, found within his jurisdiction, for the payment of the amount thereof with the added penalties, interest and the cost of executing the warrant. The term “levy” includes the power of distraint and seizure by any means. In any case in which the warrant to levy has been issued, the sheriff or other person to whom the warrant was directed may seize and sell such property or rights to property. Such warrant shall be returned to the Department together with the money collected by virtue thereof within the time therein specified, which shall not be less than 20 nor more than 90 days from the date of the warrant. The sheriff or other person to whom such warrant is directed shall proceed in the same manner as prescribed by law in respect to the enforcement against property upon judgments by a court, and shall be entitled to the same fees for his services in executing the warrant, to be collected in the same manner. The Department, or some officer, employee or agent designated by it, is hereby authorized to bid for and purchase any property sold under the provisions hereof. No proceedings for a levy under this Section shall be commenced more than 20 years after the latest date for filing of the notice of lien under the provisions of Section 1103, without regard to whether such notice was actually filed.
Any officer or employee of the Department designated in writing by the Director is authorized to serve process under this Section to levy upon accounts or other intangible assets of a taxpayer held by a financial organization, as defined in Section 1501 of this Act. In addition to any other provisions of this Section, any officer or employee of the Department designated in writing by the Director may levy upon the following property and rights to property belonging to a taxpayer: contractual payments, accounts and notes receivable and other evidences of debt, and interest on bonds, by serving a notice of levy on the person making such payment. Levy shall not be made until the Department has caused a demand to be made on the taxpayer in the manner provided above. In addition to any other provisions of this Section, any officer or employee of the Department designated in writing by the Director, may levy upon the salary, wages, commissions and bonuses of any employee, including officers, employees, or elected officials of the United States as authorized by Section 5520a of the Government Organization and Employees Act (5 U.S.C. 5520a), but not upon the salary or wages of officers, employees, or elected officials of any state other than this State, by serving a notice of levy on the employer, as defined in Section 701(d). Levy shall not be made until the Department has caused a demand to be made on the employee in the manner provided above. The provisions of Section 12‑803 of the Code of Civil Procedure relating to maximum compensation subject to collection under wage deduction orders shall apply to all levies made upon compensation under this Section. To the extent of the amount due on the levy, the employer or other person making payments to the taxpayer shall hold any non‑exempt wages or other payments due or which subsequently come due. The levy or balance due thereon is a lien on wages or other payments due at the time of the service of the notice of levy, and such lien shall continue as to subsequent earnings and other payments until the total amount due upon the levy is paid, except that such lien on subsequent earnings or other payments shall terminate sooner if the employment relationship is terminated or if the notice of levy is rescinded or modified. The employer or other person making payments to the taxpayer shall file, on or before the return dates stated in the notice of levy (which shall not be more often than bimonthly) a written answer under oath to interrogatories, setting forth the amount due as wages or other payments to the taxpayer for the payment periods ending immediately prior to the appropriate return date. A lien obtained hereunder shall have priority over any subsequent lien obtained pursuant to Section 12‑808 of the Code of Civil Procedure, except that liens for the support of a spouse or dependent children shall have priority over all liens obtained hereunder.
In any case where property or rights to property have been seized by an officer of the Illinois Department of State Police, or successor agency thereto, under the authority of a warrant to levy issued by the Department of Revenue, the Department of Revenue may take possession of and may sell such property or rights to property and the Department of Revenue may contract with third persons to conduct sales of such property or rights to the property. In the conduct of such sales, the Department of Revenue shall proceed in the same manner as is prescribed by law for proceeding against property to enforce judgments which are entered by a circuit court of this State. If, in the Department of Revenue’s opinion, no offer to purchase at such sale is acceptable and the State’s interest would be better served by retaining the property for sale at a later date, then the Department may decline to accept any bid and may retain the property for sale at a later date.
(Source: P.A. 89‑399, eff. 8‑20‑95.)
CONTACT US

THE LAW OFFICES OF THOMAS W. LYNCH & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
9231 S. ROBERTS ROAD
HICKORY HILLS, IL 60457
TEL: (708) 598-5999 – FAX: (708) 598-6299
E-Mail: info@thomaswlynchpc.com

Directions To This Location