§6334. Property exempt from levy

(a) Enumeration

There shall be exempt from levy-

(1) Wearing apparel and school books

Such items of wearing apparel and such school books as are necessary for the taxpayer or for members of his family;

(2) Fuel, provisions, furniture, and personal effects

If the taxpayer is the head of a family, so much of the fuel, provisions, furniture, and personal effects in his household, and of the arms for personal use, livestock, and poultry of the taxpayer, as does not exceed $1,650 ($1,550 in the case of levies issued during 1989) in value;

(3) Books and tools of a trade, business, or profession

So many of the books and tools necessary for the trade, business, or profession of the taxpayer as do not exceed in the aggregate $1,100 ($1,050 in the case of levies issued during 1989) in value.

(4) Unemployment benefits

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.

(5) Undelivered mail

Mail, addressed to any person, which has not been delivered to the addressee.

(6) Certain annuity and pension payments

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.

(7) Workmen's compensation

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.

(8) Judgments for support of minor children

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.

(9) Minimum exemption for wages, salary, and other income

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).

(10) Certain service-connected disability payments

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-

(A) subchapter II, III, IV, V,,¹ or VI of chapter 11 of such title 38, or

(B) chapter 13, 21, 23, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, or 39 of such title 38.

(11) Certain public assistance payments

Any amount payable to an individual as a recipient of public assistance under-

(A) title IV (relating to aid to families with dependent children) or title XVI (relating to supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and disabled) of the Social Security Act, or

(B) State or local government public assistance or public welfare programs for which eligibility is determined by a needs or income test.

(12) Assistance under Job Training Partnership Act

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.

(13) Principal residence exempt in absence of certain approval or jeopardy

Except to the extent provided in subsection (e), the principal residence of the taxpayer (within the meaning of section 1034).

(b) Appraisal

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.

(c) No other property exempt

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).

(d) Exempt amount of wages, salary, or other income

(1) Individuals on weekly basis

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.

(2) Exempt amount

For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "exempt amount" means an amount equal to-

(A) the sum of-

(i) the standard deduction, and

(ii) 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

(B) 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.

(3) Individuals on basis other than weekly

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.

(e) Levy allowed on principal residence in case of jeopardy or certain approval

Property described in subsection (a)(13) shall not be exempt from levy if-

(1) a district director or assistant district director of the Internal Revenue Service personally approves (in writing) the levy of such property, or

(2) the Secretary finds that the collection of tax is in jeopardy.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 784 ; Aug. 28, 1958, Pub. L. 85–840, title IV, §406, 72 Stat. 1047 ; June 21, 1965, Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, §812(a), 79 Stat. 170 ; Nov. 2, 1966, Pub. L. 89–719, title I, §104(c), 80 Stat. 1137 ; Dec. 30, 1969, Pub. L. 91–172, title IX, §945(a), 83 Stat. 729 ; Oct. 4, 1976, Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §1209(a)–(c), title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), 90 Stat. 1709 , 1710, 1834; Sept. 3, 1982, Pub. L. 97–248, title III, §347(a), 96 Stat. 638 ; July 18, 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VI, §2661(o)(5), 98 Stat. 1159 ; Oct. 22, 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, §1565(a), 100 Stat. 2763 ; Nov. 10, 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, title I, §1015(o), title VI, §6236(c), 102 Stat. 3572 , 3738; Aug. 6, 1991, Pub. L. 102–83, §5(c)(2), 105 Stat. 406 .)

References in Text

The Railroad Retirement Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(6), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by Pub. L. 93–445, title I, §101, Oct. 16, 1974, 88 Stat. 1305 , known as the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, which is classified generally to subchapter IV (§231 et seq.) of chapter 9 of Title 45, Railroads. For further details and complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Codification note set out preceding section 231 of Title 45, section 231t of Title 45, and Tables.

The Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(6), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 680, 52 Stat. 1094 , as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 11 (§351 et seq.) of Title 45. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 367 of Title 45 and Tables.

The Social Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(11)(A) and (c), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620 , as amended. Titles IV and XVI of the Social Security Act are classified generally to subchapters IV (§601 et seq.) and XVI (§1381 et seq.), respectively, of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Section 207 of the Social Security Act is classified to section 407 of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Job Training Partnership Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(12), is Pub. L. 97–300, Oct. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1322 , as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 19 (§1501 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1501 of Title 29 and Tables.

Amendments

1991-Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 102–83 substituted "1562" for "562".

1988-Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, §6236(c)(1), substituted "$1,650 ($1,550 in the case of levies issued during 1989)" for "$1,500".

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 100–647, §6236(c)(2), substituted "$1,100 ($1,050 in the case of levies issued during 1989)" for "$1,000".

Subsec. (a)(10)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, §1015(o)(1), substituted "III, IV, V," for "IV" and added "or" at end.

Subsec. (a)(10)(B), (C). Pub. L. 100–647, §1015(o)(2), (3), redesignated subpar. (C) as (B) and substituted "13, 21, 23" for "21", and struck out former subpar. (B), which read as follows: "subchapter I, II, or III of chapter 19 of such title 38, or".

Subsec. (a)(11) to (13). Pub. L. 100–647, §6236(c)(4)(A), added pars. (11) to (13).

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, §6236(c)(3)(A), amended par. (1) generally, striking out after introductory provisions the following definition of exempt amount:

"(A) $75, plus

"(B) $25 for each individual who is specified in a written statement which is submitted to the person on whom notice of levy is served and which is verified in such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe by regulations and-

"(i) over half of whose support for the payroll period was received from the taxpayer,

"(ii) who is the spouse of the taxpayer, or who bears a relationship to the taxpayer specified in paragraphs (1) through (9) of section 152(a) (relating to definition of dependents), and

"(iii) who is not a minor child of the taxpayer with respect to whom amounts are exempt from levy under subsection (a)(8) for the payroll period.

For purposes of subparagraph (B)(ii) of the preceding sentence, 'payroll period' shall be substituted for 'taxable year' each place it appears in paragraph (9) of section 152(a)."

Subsec. (d)(2), (3). Pub. L. 100–647, §6236(c)(3)(B), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–647, §6236(c)(4)(B), added subsec. (e).

1986-Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 99–514 added par. (10).

1984-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–369 inserted "(including section 207 of the Social Security Act)".

1982-Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 97–248, §347(a)(1), substituted "$1,500" for "$500".

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 97–248, §347(a)(2), substituted "$1,000" for "$250".

Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 97–248, §347(a)(3)(A), substituted "$75" for "$50".

Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 97–248, §347(a)(3)(B), substituted "$25" for "$15".

1976-Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 94–455, §1209(c), substituted "Judgments for support of minor children" for "Salary, wages, or other income" in heading.

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 94–455, §1209(a), added par. (9).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, §1906(b)(13)(A), struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–455, §1209(b), added subsec. (d).

1969-Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 91–172 added par. (8).

1966-Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 89–719, §104(c)(1), struck out "or Territory" after "of any State".

Subsec. (a)(6), (7). Pub. L. 89–719, §104(c)(2), added pars. (6) and (7).

1965-Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 89–44 added par. (5).

1958-Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 85–840 added par. (4).

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Section 1015(o) of Pub. L. 100–647 provided that the amendment made by that section is effective with respect to levies made after Dec. 31, 1988.

Amendment by section 6236(c) of Pub. L. 100–647 applicable to levies issued on or after July 1, 1989, see section 6236(h)(1) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 6331 of this title.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Section 1565(b) of Pub. L. 99–514 provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to amounts payable after December 31, 1986."

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 effective as though included in the enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1983, Pub. L. 98–21, see section 2664(a) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 401 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Section 347(b) of Pub. L. 97–248 provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to levies made after December 31, 1982."

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Section 1209(e) of Pub. L. 94–455, as amended by Pub. L. 94–528, §2(c), Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2483 , provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 6331 and 6332 of this title] shall apply only with respect to levies made after February 28, 1977."

Effective Date of 1969 Amendment

Section 945(b) of Pub. L. 91–172 provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to levies made 30 days or more after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 30, 1969]."

Effective Date of 1966 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 89–719 applicable after Nov. 2, 1966, regardless of when title or lien of United States arose or when lien or interest of another person was acquired, with certain exceptions, see section 114(a)–(c) of Pub. L. 89–719, set out as a note under section 6323 of this title.

Effective Date of 1965 Amendment

Section 812(b) of Pub. L. 89–44 provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [June 21, 1965]."

Cross References

Property subject to levy and distraint, see section 6331 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 6305, 6323, 6331 of this title; title 18 section 3613.

¹ So in original.