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FedPUser
Level 1

How to reverse IRS wage levy

We received an IRS Federal Tax Levy for an employee. We set up the Federal Tax Levy payroll item, deducted the amount from the employee’s paycheck, and sent payment to the IRS.

 

The IRS has now issued a Release of Levy and returned our payment check marked VOID.

 

Now we need to pay the employee the withheld amount and reverse or clear the payroll liability created by the Federal Tax Levy payroll item.

 

What is the correct way in QuickBooks Online Payroll to:

1. Reverse the levy liability created by the payroll item?

2. Refund the employee through payroll so the accounting remains clean?

 

We are still in the same calendar year and quarter as the original withholding. Thank you for any step-by-step guidance!

Solved
Best answer Tuesday

Best Answers
GebelAlaina_M
QuickBooks Team

How to reverse IRS wage levy

Thank you for the detailed information, @FedPUser! We have three processes for you to follow to successfully reverse the levy liability and refund your employees.

First off, let's inactivate or zero out the Federal Tax Levy item and deductions within the Deductions and contributions tab. This prevents future deductions but leaves the existing liability balance in place.

Next, create a reimbursement item under the Additional pay types tab in the employee's profile so we can add it to a paycheck. Once set up, run a regular payroll to issue the refund:
 

  1. Go to the Payroll menu and select Employees.
  2. Click Run payroll and select the specific employee.
  3. Locate the Reimbursement field you created and enter the total levy amount to be refunded.
  4. On the paycheck preview, manually zero out all other tax withholdings to ensure the net check matches the refund amount.
  5. Click Save, then Submit payroll.


Finally, clear the remaining liability balance using a journal entry. In the Debit column, select the Payroll Liability account to zero out the levy balance. In the Credit column, choose the Payroll Expense or Reimbursement account to offset the refund expense. However, I highly recommend consulting with your accountant on this final entry to ensure your books remain perfectly balanced and clean.

By the way, you can run the Payroll Details report to revie the pay checks you've created, including the amount, taxes, and deductions.

Please let me know if you have clarifications or additional concerns. The Community is always here to help!

View solution in original post

1 Comment 1
GebelAlaina_M
QuickBooks Team

How to reverse IRS wage levy

Thank you for the detailed information, @FedPUser! We have three processes for you to follow to successfully reverse the levy liability and refund your employees.

First off, let's inactivate or zero out the Federal Tax Levy item and deductions within the Deductions and contributions tab. This prevents future deductions but leaves the existing liability balance in place.

Next, create a reimbursement item under the Additional pay types tab in the employee's profile so we can add it to a paycheck. Once set up, run a regular payroll to issue the refund:
 

  1. Go to the Payroll menu and select Employees.
  2. Click Run payroll and select the specific employee.
  3. Locate the Reimbursement field you created and enter the total levy amount to be refunded.
  4. On the paycheck preview, manually zero out all other tax withholdings to ensure the net check matches the refund amount.
  5. Click Save, then Submit payroll.


Finally, clear the remaining liability balance using a journal entry. In the Debit column, select the Payroll Liability account to zero out the levy balance. In the Credit column, choose the Payroll Expense or Reimbursement account to offset the refund expense. However, I highly recommend consulting with your accountant on this final entry to ensure your books remain perfectly balanced and clean.

By the way, you can run the Payroll Details report to revie the pay checks you've created, including the amount, taxes, and deductions.

Please let me know if you have clarifications or additional concerns. The Community is always here to help!

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