Can the US IRS garnih wage and salary in NSW, my spouse is employed here.#2 Can we travel from Australia to the US and back to AU with a US IRS Federal Tax lien?
Thank you for using JustAnswer. I am researching your issue and will respond shortly.
Yes, the IRS actually has an office in Australia, and there is a treaty between Australia and the US that allows for reciprocity of tax cases.
As for travel, The IRS can certify that someone has a “seriously delinquent tax debt” over $50,000. The Treasury Secretary then sends it to the Secretary of State, which can then deny, revoke or limit the subject’s Passport. Here's what is a “seriously delinquent tax debt”:Any debt where there’s a Notice of Federal Tax Lien or a Notice of Levy filed, but excluding: a debt that is being paid in a timely manner under an installment agreement, and a debt on which collection is suspended because of a pending or requested collection due process hearing (or certain other relief). Emergency circumstances or travel for humanitarian reasons could also be excepted.
Now most of the time this is not an issue, and unless your situation is egregious (over $50,000) then I wouldn't worry about it.
Hope that clears things up a bit. If you have any other questions, please let me know. If not, and you have not yet, please rate my answer. Please note that I don't get any credit for my answer unless and until you rate it a 3, 4, 5 (good or better). Thank you, and good luck to you!