Title 26Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-73

§6330 Notice and opportunity for hearing before levy

Title 26 › Subtitle Subtitle F— - Procedure and Administration › Chapter CHAPTER 64— - COLLECTION › Subchapter Subchapter D— - Seizure of Property for Collection of Taxes › Part PART I— - DUE PROCESS FOR COLLECTIONS › § 6330

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The IRS must give you a written notice and a chance for a hearing before it takes your property to pay unpaid taxes (this taking is called a levy). The notice must be given only once for the tax year involved and can be handed to you in person, left at your home or usual work place, or sent by certified or registered mail with a return receipt to your last known address. The notice must say, in plain language, how much you owe, that you have 30 days to ask for a hearing, and explain the proposed action and your rights. It must also briefly describe the rules about levies and sales, the appeals you can use, options that might stop a levy (including installment agreements under section 6159), and how to redeem property or remove liens. If you ask for a hearing in writing within the 30 days and say why, the IRS Independent Office of Appeals will hold one hearing for that tax period. The hearing officer must not have been involved earlier unless you agree. The officer will check that the IRS followed the law. You can raise many issues at the hearing, such as spousal defenses, challenges to the collection actions, and offers like posting a bond, substituting assets, an installment plan, or an offer-in-compromise. You can also dispute the tax amount if you never had a chance to do so before. The appeals officer will weigh the verification and your arguments and try to balance fair collection with how intrusive the action is. You can go to Tax Court within 30 days of the appeals decision (this time is paused if bankruptcy stops you, plus 30 days after). While a hearing and appeals are pending, levies and some time limits (sections 6502, 6531, 6532) are usually paused and cannot expire before the 90th day after the final decision, though a court can allow a levy to continue if the tax is not being disputed and good cause exists. Hearings and pauses do not apply in certain cases: jeopardy collections under section 6331(a), levies on State tax refunds, certain recent employment tax levies (if a hearing was requested within the most recent 2-year period for related periods; employment taxes are under chapters 21–24), or levies against Federal contractors. The IRS may also ignore parts of a hearing request that meet the frivolous standards of section 6702(b)(2)(A).

Full Legal Text

Title 26, §6330

Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)No levy may be made on any property or right to property of any person unless the Secretary has notified such person in writing of their right to a hearing under this section before such levy is made. Such notice shall be required only once for the taxable period to which the unpaid tax specified in paragraph (3)(A) relates.
(2)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, return receipt requested, to such person’s last known address;
(3)The notice required under paragraph (1) shall include in simple and nontechnical terms—
(A)the amount of unpaid tax;
(B)the right of the person to request a hearing during the 30-day period under paragraph (2); and
(C)the proposed action by the Secretary and the rights of the person with respect to such action, including a brief statement which sets forth—
(i)the provisions of this title relating to levy and sale of property;
(ii)the procedures applicable to the levy and sale of property under this title;
(iii)the administrative appeals available to the taxpayer with respect to such levy and sale and the procedures relating to such appeals;
(iv)the alternatives available to taxpayers which could prevent levy on property (including installment agreements under section 6159); and
(v)the provisions of this title and procedures relating to redemption of property and release of liens on property.
(b)(1)If the person requests a hearing in writing under subsection (a)(3)(B) and states the grounds for the requested hearing, such hearing shall be held by the Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals.
(2)A person shall be entitled to only one hearing under this section with respect to the taxable period to which the unpaid tax specified in subsection (a)(3)(A) relates.
(3)The hearing under this subsection shall be conducted by an officer or employee who has had no prior involvement with respect to the unpaid tax specified in subsection (a)(3)(A) before the first hearing under this section or section 6320. A taxpayer may waive the requirement of this paragraph.
(c)In the case of any hearing conducted under this section—
(1)The appeals officer shall at the hearing obtain verification from the Secretary that the requirements of any applicable law or administrative procedure have been met.
(2)(A)The person may raise at the hearing any relevant issue relating to the unpaid tax or the proposed levy, including—
(i)appropriate spousal defenses;
(ii)challenges to the appropriateness of collection actions; and
(iii)offers of collection alternatives, which may include the posting of a bond, the substitution of other assets, an installment agreement, or an offer-in-compromise.
(B)The person may also raise at the hearing challenges to the existence or amount of the underlying tax liability for any tax period if the person did not receive any statutory notice of deficiency for such tax liability or did not otherwise have an opportunity to dispute such tax liability.
(3)The determination by an appeals officer under this subsection shall take into consideration—
(A)the verification presented under paragraph (1);
(B)the issues raised under paragraph (2); and
(C)whether any proposed collection action balances the need for the efficient collection of taxes with the legitimate concern of the person that any collection action be no more intrusive than necessary.
(4)An issue may not be raised at the hearing if—
(A)(i)the issue was raised and considered at a previous hearing under section 6320 or in any other previous administrative or judicial proceeding; and
(ii)the person seeking to raise the issue participated meaningfully in such hearing or proceeding;
(B)the issue meets the requirement of clause (i) or (ii) of section 6702(b)(2)(A); or
(C)a final determination has been made with respect to such issue in a proceeding brought under subchapter C of chapter 63.
(d)(1)The person may, within 30 days of a determination under this section, petition the Tax Court for review of such determination (and the Tax Court shall have jurisdiction with respect to such matter).
(2)In the case of a person who is prohibited by reason of a case under title 11, United States Code, from filing a petition under paragraph (1) with respect to a determination under this section, the running of the period prescribed by such subsection for filing such a petition with respect to such determination shall be suspended for the period during which the person is so prohibited from filing such a petition, and for 30 days thereafter.
(3)The Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals shall retain jurisdiction with respect to any determination made under this section, including subsequent hearings requested by the person who requested the original hearing on issues regarding—
(A)collection actions taken or proposed with respect to such determination; and
(B)after the person has exhausted all administrative remedies, a change in circumstances with respect to such person which affects such determination.
(e)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), if a hearing is requested under subsection (a)(3)(B), the levy actions which are the subject of the requested hearing and the running of any period of limitations under section 6502 (relating to collection after assessment), section 6531 (relating to criminal prosecutions), or section 6532 (relating to other suits) shall be suspended for the period during which such hearing, and appeals therein, are pending. In no event shall any such period expire before the 90th day after the day on which there is a final determination in such hearing. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7421(a), the beginning of a levy or proceeding during the time the suspension under this paragraph is in force may be enjoined by a proceeding in the proper court, including the Tax Court. The Tax Court shall have no jurisdiction under this paragraph to enjoin any action or proceeding unless a timely appeal has been filed under subsection (d)(1) and then only in respect of the unpaid tax or proposed levy to which the determination being appealed relates.
(2)Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a levy action while an appeal is pending if the underlying tax liability is not at issue in the appeal and the court determines that the Secretary has shown good cause not to suspend the levy.
(f)If—
(1)the Secretary has made a finding under the last sentence of section 6331(a) that the collection of tax is in jeopardy,
(2)the Secretary has served a levy on a State to collect a Federal tax liability from a State tax refund,
(3)the Secretary has served a disqualified employment tax levy, or
(4)the Secretary has served a Federal contractor levy,
(g)Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if the Secretary determines that any portion of a request for a hearing under this section or section 6320 meets the requirement of clause (i) or (ii) of section 6702(b)(2)(A), then the Secretary may treat such portion as if it were never submitted and such portion shall not be subject to any further administrative or judicial review.
(h)For purposes of subsection (f)—
(1)A disqualified employment tax levy is any levy in connection with the collection of employment taxes for any taxable period if the person subject to the levy (or any predecessor thereof) requested a hearing under this section with respect to unpaid employment taxes arising in the most recent 2-year period before the beginning of the taxable period with respect to which the levy is served. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “employment taxes” means any taxes under chapter 21, 22, 23, or 24.
(2)A Federal contractor levy is any levy if the person whose property is subject to the levy (or any predecessor thereof) is a Federal contractor.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2019—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 116–25, § 1001(b)(1)(C), substituted “Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals” for “Internal Revenue Service Office of Appeals”. Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–25 inserted “Independent” after “IRS” in heading and substituted “Internal Revenue Service Independent Office of Appeals” for “Internal Revenue Service Office of Appeals” in introductory provisions. 2018—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(281), substituted “subsection (d)(3)(B)” for “subsection (d)(2)(B)” in concluding provisions. Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(282), substituted “thereafter.” for “thereafter, and”. 2015—Subsec. (c)(4)(C). Pub. L. 114–74 added subpar. (C). Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 114–113, § 424(b)(1)(A), (B), substituted “Petition for review by Tax Court” for “Judicial review of determination” in heading and “petition the Tax Court for review of such determination” for “appeal such determination to the Tax Court” in text. Subsec. (d)(2), (3). Pub. L. 114–113, § 424(b)(1)(C), (D), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3). 2010—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–240, § 2104(c), substituted “Exceptions” for “Jeopardy and State refund collection” in heading. Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 111–240, § 2104(a), added par. (4). Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 111–240, § 2104(b), substituted “Definitions related to exceptions” for “Disqualified employment tax levy” in heading, inserted introductory provisions and par. (1) designation and heading, substituted “A disqualified employment tax levy is” for “For purposes of subsection (f), a disqualified employment tax levy is”, and added par. (2). 2007—Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 110–28, § 8243(a), added par. (3). Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 110–28, § 8243(b), added subsec. (h). 2006—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–432, § 407(b)(3), substituted “in writing under subsection (a)(3)(B) and states the grounds for the requested hearing” for “under subsection (a)(3)(B)”. Subsec. (c)(4)(A), (B). Pub. L. 109–432, § 407(b)(2), redesignated subpars. (A) and (B) as cls. (i) and (ii), respectively, of subpar. (A), in cl. (ii) substituted “; or” for period at end, and added subpar. (B). Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 109–280, § 855(a), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The person may, within 30 days of a determination under this section, appeal such determination— “(A) to the Tax Court (and the Tax Court shall have jurisdiction with respect to such matter); or “(B) if the Tax Court does not have jurisdiction of the underlying tax liability, to a district court of the United States. If a court determines that the appeal was to an incorrect court, a person shall have 30 days after the court determination to file such appeal with the correct court.” Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–432, § 407(b)(1), added subsec. (g). 2000—Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 313(d)], substituted “with respect to” for “to hear”. Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 313(b)(2)(A)], inserted at end “Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7421(a), the beginning of a levy or proceeding during the time the suspension under this paragraph is in force may be enjoined by a proceeding in the proper court, including the Tax Court. The Tax Court shall have no jurisdiction under this paragraph to enjoin any action or proceeding unless a timely appeal has been filed under subsection (d)(1) and then only in respect of the unpaid tax or proposed levy to which the determination being appealed relates.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2015 Amendment Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title IV, § 424(b)(2), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3124, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to petitions filed under section 6330 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2015].” Amendment by Pub. L. 114–74 applicable to returns filed for partnership taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, with certain exceptions, see section 1101(g) of Pub. L. 114–74, set out as an

Effective Date

note under section 6221 of this title.

Effective Date

of 2010 Amendment Pub. L. 111–240, title II, § 2104(d), Sept. 27, 2010, 124 Stat. 2565, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to levies issued after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 27, 2010].”

Effective Date

of 2007 Amendment Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, § 8243(c), May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 200, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to levies served on or after the date that is 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [May 25, 2007].”

Effective Date

of 2006 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 109–432 applicable to submissions made and issues raised after the date on which the Secretary first prescribes a list under section 6702(c) of this title, see section 407(f) of Pub. L. 109–432, set out as a note under section 6320 of this title. Pub. L. 109–280, title VIII, § 855(b), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1019, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to determinations made after the date which is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 17, 2006].”

Effective Date

of 2000 AmendmentAmendment by section 1(a)(7) [title III, § 313(b)(2)(A)] of Pub. L. 106–554 effective Dec. 21, 2000, and amendment by section 1(a)(7) [title III, § 313(d)] of Pub. L. 106–554, effective as if included in the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105–206, to which such amendment relates, see section 1(a)(7) [title III, § 313(f)] of Pub. L. 106–554, set out as a note under section 6015 of this title.

Effective Date

Section applicable to collection actions initiated after the date which is 180 days after July 22, 1998, see section 3401(d) of Pub. L. 105–206, set out as a note under section 6320 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

26 U.S.C. § 6330

Title 26Internal Revenue Code

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73