{"id":354007,"date":"2016-04-04T10:48:06","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:48:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/tax\/tax-problems-audits\/can-the-irs-take-your-home-or-business.html"},"modified":"2026-03-09T17:55:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T22:55:26","slug":"can-the-irs-take-your-home-or-business","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/tax\/tax-problems-audits\/can-the-irs-take-your-home-or-business.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Protect Your Home and Business From IRS Seizure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To Protect Your Home and Business From IRS Seizure<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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An IRS<\/span> seizure is the legal process where the government takes the taxpayer<\/span>\u2019s physical property or financial assets to satisfy an unpaid <\/span>tax<\/span> debt<\/span>. To protect your property from seizure, you can request a Collection Due Process hearing<\/span>, prove economic hardship<\/span>, or negotiate a settlement such as an offer in compromise<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

For property owners, one of the most feared Internal Revenue Service<\/span> (IRS<\/span>) actions is seizure of their assets to satisfy a tax debt<\/span>. While this is a last resort<\/span> for the IRS<\/span><\/a>, the threat is real. The good news is that you have powerful legal rights to prevent it, but understanding them is critical to exercising them.<\/p>\n

This article reviews your rights when it comes to an IRS<\/span> seizure. We\u2019ll walk you through the steps taxpayers<\/span> can take to protect their assets from seizure. We\u2019ll also provide key information to help you make alternative arrangements for settling your tax debt<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re facing actual or potential IRS<\/span> seizure of your property, you\u2019ll likely have more options than you think. Speak with a solid tax attorney<\/span> who can help <\/a>you understand them. That way, you can make informed decisions about your next steps.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, let\u2019s get started with some of the basics.<\/p>\n

What Is an IRS<\/span> Seizure?<\/h2>\n

An IRS<\/span> seizure is when the Internal Revenue Service<\/span> takes a person\u2019s property to pay off unpaid taxes<\/span>. This is one of the most serious collection actions<\/span> the government can use<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0IRS<\/span>\u00a0can seize most property and rights to property belonging to the\u00a0taxpayer<\/span>, including\u00a0business assets<\/span>. For example, it can lay claim to:<\/p>\n