§6334 — Property exempt from levy
34 cases·7 followed·1 distinguished·26 cited—21% support
Statute Text — 26 U.S.C. §6334
There shall be exempt from levy—
Such items of wearing apparel and such school books as are necessary for the taxpayer or for members of his family;
So much of the fuel, provisions, furniture, and personal effects in the taxpayer’s household, and of the arms for personal use, livestock, and poultry of the taxpayer, as does not exceed $6,250 in value;
So many of the books and tools necessary for the trade, business, or profession of the taxpayer as do not exceed in the aggregate $3,125 in value.
Any amount payable to an individual with respect to his unemployment (including any portion thereof payable with respect to dependents) under an unemployment compensation law of the United States, of any State, or of the District of Columbia or of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Mail, addressed to any person, which has not been delivered to the addressee.
Annuity or pension payments under the Railroad Retirement Act, benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, special pension payments received by a person whose name has been entered on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor roll (38 U.S.C. 1562), and annuities based on retired or retainer pay under chapter 73 of title 10 of the United States Code.
Any amount payable to an individual as workmen’s compensation (including any portion thereof payable with respect to dependents) under a workmen’s compensation law of the United States, any State, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
If the taxpayer is required by judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, entered prior to the date of levy, to contribute to the support of his minor children, so much of his salary, wages, or other income as is necessary to comply with such judgment.
Any amount payable to or received by an individual as wages or salary for personal services, or as income derived from other sources, during any period, to the extent that the total of such amounts payable to or received by him during such period does not exceed the applicable exempt amount determined under subsection (d).
Any amount payable to an individual as a service-connected (within the meaning of
section 101(16) of title 38
, United States Code) disability benefit under—
subchapter II, III, IV, V, or VI of chapter 11 of such title 38, or
chapter 13, 21, 23, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, or 39 of such title 38.
Any amount payable to an individual as a recipient of public assistance under—
title IV or title XVI (relating to supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and disabled) of the Social Security Act, or
State or local government public assistance or public welfare programs for which eligibility is determined by a needs or income test.
Any amount payable to a participant under the Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) from funds appropriated pursuant to such Act.
If the amount of the levy does not exceed $5,000—
any real property used as a residence by the taxpayer; or
any real property of the taxpayer (other than real property which is rented) used by any other individual as a residence.
Except to the extent provided in subsection (e)—
the principal residence of the taxpayer (within the meaning of section 121); and
tangible personal property or real property (other than real property which is rented) used in the trade or business of an individual taxpayer.
The officer seizing property of the type described in subsection (a) shall appraise and set aside to the owner the amount of such property declared to be exempt. If the taxpayer objects at the time of the seizure to the valuation fixed by the officer making the seizure, the Secretary shall summon three disinterested individuals who shall make the valuation.
Notwithstanding any other law of the United States (including section 207 of the Social Security Act), no property or rights to property shall be exempt from levy other than the property specifically made exempt by subsection (a).
In the case of an individual who is paid or receives all of his wages, salary, and other income on a weekly basis, the amount of the wages, salary, and other income payable to or received by him during any week which is exempt from levy under subsection (a)(9) shall be the exempt amount.
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “exempt amount” means an amount equal to—
the sum of—
the standard deduction, and
the aggregate amount of the deductions for personal exemptions allowed the taxpayer under section 151 in the taxable year in which such levy occurs, divided by
52.
Unless the taxpayer submits to the Secretary a written and properly verified statement specifying the facts necessary to determine the proper amount under subparagraph (A), subparagraph (A) shall be applied as if the taxpayer were a married individual filing a separate return with only 1 personal exemption.
In the case of any individual not described in paragraph (1), the amount of the wages, salary, and other income payable to or received by him during any applicable pay period or other fiscal period (as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary) which is exempt from levy under subsection (a)(9) shall be an amount (determined under such regulations) which as nearly as possible will result in the same total exemption from levy for such individual over a period of time as he would have under paragraph (1) if (during such period of time) he were paid or received such wages, salary, and other income on a regular weekly basis.
In the case of any taxable year in which the exemption amount under section 151(d) is zero, paragraph (2) shall not apply and for purposes of paragraph (1) the term “exempt amount” means an amount equal to—
the sum of the amount determined under subparagraph (B) and the standard deduction, divided by
52.
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the amount determined under this subparagraph is $4,150 multiplied by the number of the taxpayer’s dependents for the taxable year in which the levy occurs.
In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2018, the $4,150 amount in subparagraph (B) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
such dollar amount, multiplied by
the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “2017” for “2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
If any increase determined under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $100, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $100.
Unless the taxpayer submits to the Secretary a written and properly verified statement specifying the facts necessary to determine the proper amount under subparagraph (A), subparagraph (A) shall be applied as if the taxpayer were a married individual filing a separate return with no dependents.
A principal residence shall not be exempt from levy if a judge or magistrate of a district court of the United States approves (in writing) the levy of such residence.
The district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction to approve a levy under subparagraph (A).
Property (other than a principal residence) described in subsection (a)(13)(B) shall not be exempt from levy if—
a district director or assistant district director of the Internal Revenue Service personally approves (in writing) the levy of such property; or
the Secretary finds that the collection of tax is in jeopardy.
An official may not approve a levy under subparagraph (A) unless the official determines that the taxpayer’s other assets subject to collection are insufficient to pay the amount due, together with expenses of the proceedings.
Any payment described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 6331(h)(2) shall not be exempt from levy if the Secretary approves the levy thereon under section 6331(h).
In the case of any calendar year beginning after 1999, each dollar amount referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
such dollar amount, multiplied by
the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year, by substituting “calendar year 1998” for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
If any dollar amount after being increased under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $10, such dollar amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
Treasury Regulations
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-1 Property exempt from levy
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-1(a) Enumeration.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-1(b) Appraisal.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-1(c) Other property.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-1(d) Levy allowed on principal residence.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-1(e) Levy allowed on certain business assets.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-1(f) Levy allowed on certain specified payments.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-1(g) Inflation adjustment.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-1(h) Effective date.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-1(i) Title IV or title XVI (relating to supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and disabled) of the Social Security Act (42 U.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-2 Wages, salary, and other income
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-2(a) In general.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-2(b) Eligible taxpayer income.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-2(c) Payment of exempt amounts to taxpayer—(1) From wages, salary, or income from other sources where levy on all sources not made.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-2(d) Effective date.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-3 Determination of exempt amount
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-3(a) Individuals paid on weekly basis.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-3(b) Term defined.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-3(c) Written and properly verified statement.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-3(d) Individuals paid on basis other than weekly—(1) In general.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-3(e) Levies continuing into following years.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-3(f) Effective date.
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-3(i) §301.6334-3(i)
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-4 Verified statements
- Treas. Reg. §Treas. Reg. §301.6334-4(a) In general.
34 Citing Cases
Antioco also argued in her renewed request for an installment agreementthat section 6334 exempts her apartment building from levy because it serves as her principal residence.
Section 6331(a) provides, in pertinent part: If any person liable to pay any tax neglects or refuses to pay the same * * *, it shall be lawful for the Secretary to collect such tax * * * 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.
1 states that ifany 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 Secretaryto collect such tax (and such further sum as shall be sufficient to cover the expenses ofthe 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 payment ofsuch tax.
Collection ofFederal Tax by Levy Ifa taxpayer liable to pay any tax neglects or refuses to pay the same within 10 days after notice and demand, the Secretary may collect the tax by levy upon all property and rights to property (except any propertythat is exempt under section 6334) belonging to the taxpayer.s Sec.
Mathews also receives $3,309.00 in VA Disability payments, but these are not included in the above and are not subject to levy under 26 USC § 6334." Petitioner's financial statement contained the following information regarding the expenditures that petitioner made each month: 4The U.S.
- 14 - ofthe 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 ofsuch tax.
Insofar as the proposed levy is concerned, respondent acknowledges - 10 - [*10] that section 6334 exempts from levy various types and amounts ofproperty, and he asserts that "[r]espondenthas not even identified any propertythat * * * [he] might levy in order to satisfypetitioners' outstanding 2011 income tax liability." In reply to respondent's rebuttal, petitioners contend that section 6334 "does not come into play" because ofthe
Section 6343 (a)(l) provides that, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, if the Secretary has determined that the levy is creating an economic hardship due to\the financial condition of the taxpayer , the Secretary must release a levy upon all, or part of, .a taxpayer' s property or .rights to property .' Sec .
oint . The district court held that entirety property (in that case, the proceeds of a sale) was subject to levy under section 6331, provided that the procedural requirements of the statute are followed and the property is not otherwise exempt under section 6334 . Id . - 35 - here . The Sullivans have not shown that payment of more than the amount that they offered in settlement of their liabilities would have rendered them unable to meet basic living expenses . Their projections of future incom
She also noted the encumbrance on the 2001 VW Passat and allowed a $7,200 exemption' under section 6334 (a) (2) for the motor home .10 Cochran summarized petitioners' assets and liabilities as follows : Fair Quick Net market sale Encumbrance/ realizable Assets value value exemption equity Cash/bank $13,110 -- -- $13,110 Retirement accounts 105,440 -- -- 105,440 Real estate 36,000 -- -- 36,000 Mobile home 8,950 $7,160 $7,200 -0- .Vehicles
des that 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 (ex- cept 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.
Collection Actions Section 6331(a) authorizes the Commissioner to levy upon all property and rights to property (except property exempt under section 6334) of a taxpayer where there exists a failure to pay any tax liability within 10 days after notice and demand for payment.
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.
fully paid. Sec. 6331(c). 11 Sec. 6331(h) also provides for a continuing levy that attaches up to 15 percent of any “specified payment” due to the taxpayer. The term “specified payment” includes certain Federal payments, certain exempt amounts under sec. 6334, and certain annuity or pension payments. Sec. 6331(h)(2). - 10 - date of levy, until the levy is released pursuant to section 6343. Sec. 301.6331-1(b)(1), Proced. & Admin. Regs.12 Section 6331(e) does not specify the types of remuneration
Section 6331(a) provides: If any person liable to pay any tax neglects or refuses to pay the same * * *, it shall be lawful for the Secretary to collect such tax * * * 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.