Can the IRS empty my bank account?
The Internal Revenue Service can gain access to the contents of a safe deposit box, but they cannot do so arbitrarily or without proper legal backing. To reach the contents of a box located inside a bank vault, the IRS must typically serve a formal Notice of Levy or Seizure to the financial institution and request that the box be frozen. Agents will often request that the taxpayer open the box voluntarily in their presence. If the taxpayer refuses or fails to cooperate, the IRS can petition a court to obtain a specific judicial order authorizing law enforcement or agency representatives to drill open the safe deposit box, inventory the physical contents, and seize valuable assets or cash to apply toward satisfying outstanding unpaid federal tax liabilities.