<prompt> Human: Hi,I just started a new job. I got the first two checks no problem as hard copies. Prior to the third check, I set up direct deposit. The advice date on the electronic pay stub was 414, pay period was through 415. The pay stub shows exactly how much was supposed to be deposited. There is nothing weird showing up on the pay stub.Nothing has showed up in my bank account at all. I am worried my entire check has been garnished by the IRS, as I think I owe around 20k in unpaid income tax. Is this possible? Am I freaking out for nothing? How would I know if my wages were being garnished? Thanks. EDIT: Thanks SO much for everyones help! Good news: I realized Id provided the wrong routing number for my checks. Im an idiot. BUT the great part is that thanks to everyones suggestions, I ended up on the phone with the IRS. Turns out, there are no judgementsholdsnotes on my account, THANK GOD, BUT I knew I needed to get my shit together. So, I updated my address and ordered all necessary tax materials to get up to date. This served as a wake-up call to be more financially responsible and start acting like an adult and not a dumbass. Thank you everyone for your information. Im glad Im finally getting my shit together and can live without this constant anxiety. Assistant: How would I know if my wages were being garnished?They will send you several notices before they begin garnishing your wages. Why do you owe 20,000 to the IRS? Why havent you attempted to set up a payment plan with them? If you reach out and attempt to work with them things will go a LOT better for you than if you just wait for them to come after you.Human: Its several years of income taxes I didnt pay as a freelancer. Long story...yes, I need to set up a payment plan. I have moved a lot and havent received any notices that I know of. Assistant: If you havent set up forwarding addresses with the USPS and you havent submitted an official change of address notice with the IRS its possible and likely youve missed notices from the IRS.Have you filed your 2016 taxes yet? Have you not been filing your taxes, or just not been paying them? You need to choose to start making this right now, or youre going to have a lot of problems trying to earn an income. If youre unresponsive and uncooperative with the IRS theyll just keep taking their money until your account is paid. Reach out to them now.Human: I tried reaching out to them and I couldnt even get through the website because I entered too many apparently incorrect addresses! NIGHTMARE. I just want to know IF they took the entire check so I can start figuring this out. And no, I havent filed my 2016 taxes. Assistant: Well your 2016 taxes are due TOMORROW so you should get on that.As for determining your status with the IRS, you should just call them:Call 1-800-829-1040 M - F 7am - 7pm local time and speak with a representative. They will ask some verification questions and research your federal tax account.Human: On the phone now -- this is a nightmare trying to get a real person on the phone. UGH. I guess Im just curious if money can just disappear into thin air without any notification.  <response>: They likely DID send you notification, but it never reached you because you moved a lot. The IRS never calls you, they always send you mail. If your forwarding addresses were never set up or expired when they sent you notices, you wouldnt have received them. 