The Internal Revenue Service has the authority to freeze a bank account to collect unpaid taxes. Although it occurs much less often, this also happens when evidence shows that an individual or business may be violating the Bank Secrecy Act. Once the IRS issues a notice of levy, a financial institution has no choice other than to comply. Take a look at several situations that could make the IRS freeze bank accounts.
Consider also: Where's My Tax Refund: An Easy Guide
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
Tax Collection Situations
There are three main situations that could make the IRS freeze bank accounts for tax-related issues. The first is to collect unpaid taxes from a taxpayer who does not respond to collection notices demanding payment. The remaining reasons are to collect the remaining balance due when a taxpayer defaults on a payment plan or on an Offer in Compromise agreement, which allows a taxpayer with delinquent debt to pay less than the full amount owed.
Failure to Communicate
It's vital to communicate with the IRS, even if you cannot pay the full amount of your tax bill. However, even if you remain silent, the IRS cannot freeze a bank account without providing advance notice.
You will first receive multiple CP14 Notices stating that you owe money on unpaid taxes. When you get these notices and see the amount of taxes due, you should work toward paying off the taxes if possible or contacting the IRS so you can set up an arrangement such as a payment plan.
If you still don't take action after you receive multiple CP-14 notices, as a final collection attempt, you'll receive a "Final Notice of Intent to Levy" from the IRS. This notice gives other you 30 days to contact the IRS and either make payment arrangements or pay the entire tax bill. If you still don't take action to resolve your tax debt, this can make the IRS freeze bank accounts.
IRS Freeze on Bank Accounts
The IRS can only freeze the funds in an individual or joint bank account required to pay the delinquent tax debt, and only those funds in the account on the day the levy takes effect. However, once the levy is in place, you will no longer be able to access these funds.
If you take no further action, the bank will send the money to the IRS 21 days later. If there is still a balance due after this time, the IRS can issue another levy. You should work with the IRS to get levies removed and resolve your tax debt. You might also consider talking to a tax attorney about your bank account freeze.
Bank Secrecy Act Violations
The Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 requires financial institutions to report cash deposits exceeding $10,000 and to file a suspicious activity report if a customer's actions make it appear there is money laundering, wire transfer fraud or check fraud occurring. For example, a pattern of making bank deposits for $9,910 to evade reporting requirements is a crime whether the money is from legal or illegal sources.
The IRS has the authority to freeze a bank account reported as suspicious and turn the information over to the Justice Department for further investigation.
Consider also: Rules About Large Cash Deposits