What is IRS Form 668-A?

IRS Form 668-A — 'Notice of Levy' — is the general-purpose levy form the IRS serves on banks, clients, accounts receivable debtors, and other third parties that hold your money or property. This is the most common levy form, used for bank accounts, non-wage payments, contract payments, and other assets held by third parties. When served on a bank, the bank must freeze the account balance up to the levy amount on the day the levy is received. After a mandatory 21-day holding period, the bank sends the frozen funds to the IRS. The 21-day period gives you a narrow window to resolve the tax debt or prove the funds are exempt before the money is permanently transferred.

What funds are exempt from an IRS bank levy?

Certain funds in a bank account may be exempt from IRS levy: (1) Social Security benefits (Title II retirement, survivors, and disability) deposited in the account — the bank performs an electronic look-back and exempts these; (2) Supplemental Security Income (SSI); (3) Veterans' benefits; (4) Federal employee retirement benefits (FERS/CSRS); (5) Railroad Retirement benefits; (6) Child support payments. The bank is responsible for identifying and protecting exempt federal benefits deposited within the look-back period. However, once funds are commingled — e.g., wages deposited alongside benefit payments — the exemption becomes harder to claim. If the bank fails to protect exempt funds, you must contact the IRS directly to assert the exemption. The exempt amount applies per account, not per taxpayer.

Bank account statement with IRS levy notice freezing funds

Bank Account Levy — 21-Day Hold

IRS Form 668-A: Bank Account & Asset Levy

The IRS has served a levy on your bank or another third party holding your money. Your account is frozen up to the levy amount. You have 21 days before the money is sent to the IRS permanently. Some funds — like Social Security — are protected. Here's what to do immediately.

Release Bank Levy Now Call 310-597-2254

Get Your Free Tax Relief Review

A specialist will review your case and outline your options — completely free.

Get Free Bank Levy Help

Get Your Free Tax Relief Review

A specialist will review your case and outline your options — completely free.

What Is Form 668-A?

IRS Form 668-A — "Notice of Levy" — is the general-purpose levy form used by IRS Revenue Officers to seize assets held by third parties. When served on a bank, it is a bank account levy. When served on a client or customer, it seizes accounts receivable. When served on a retirement plan administrator, it levies retirement funds. The common thread: the Form 668-A is served on someone OTHER than you — the third party holding your money or property — and that third party is now legally obligated to turn your assets over to the IRS.

The 21-day bank levy rule is the most critical deadline. Under IRC § 6332(c), when the IRS serves a levy on a bank, the bank must freeze the account on the day the levy is received. The bank must hold the frozen funds for 21 calendar days before sending them to the IRS. This 21-day window exists to allow you to: (1) resolve the tax debt (pay or enter an IA), (2) prove the funds are exempt from levy, or (3) file a Collection Due Process request if you still have CDP rights. On day 22, if the levy has not been released, the bank sends the money to the IRS and the transaction is irreversible — you cannot get the money back from the IRS except through a refund claim.

The 21-Day Bank Levy Timeline

Day 1 — Levy Served on Bank

Bank freezes your account up to the levy amount. Funds remain frozen but are not yet transferred to the IRS.

Days 1-21 — Resolution Window

You have 21 days to: (1) pay the debt in full, (2) enter an Installment Agreement, (3) prove economic hardship, (4) claim exempt funds, or (5) file a CDP hearing request (Form 12153) if you have CDP rights.

Day 22 — Funds Transferred

If the levy has not been released, the bank sends the frozen funds to the IRS. The money is gone — you cannot get it back except through a refund claim (Form 843).

Release Your Bank Levy Before Day 22

We contact the IRS Revenue Officer immediately, assert exemptions, negotiate a release, and work to get your funds unfrozen — often within 24-48 hours. The 21-day clock is running. Free emergency review.

Get Free Bank Levy Help Call 310-597-2254