My husband files our taxes every year - 22 years now. within just a short time into 2012 he received $1500 LESS in his income that has always been less than what is needed due to his employer USC doesn't use the HUGE $$ for everything BUT those who have the campus they have. He is in manager position but still not very high - kids out of college can start at his rate. He stays NOW because within a few years of retirement. I have pretty much a set income with my disability and small retirement having worked only 12 years with a school district. When this withdrawal started, immediately my husband started making calls!! He finally had appointments with both Federal and State but only State had taken money. The Feds have week after week, month after month met with my husband but forever could not come up with anything to settle whatever they feel we owe for year 2010, I Think! We do NOT make very much, as I stated at the beginning, nor does he make enough without my income. We have always made our house payment even though it is overly high as we have had some difficulty in the past to pay bills so we've barely kept it going but we will because I have the confidence God knows what he's doing. I have been very difficult on my husband, asking all the time what his meeting was like, what were they doing, when was the State going to stop withdrawing from our checks most importantly because we were getting way behind even with the Important House payments! I've some very bad times emotionally he's had to dealt with, my disability is with fibromyalsia that has caused many various physical problems and runs to the hospital. He has fortunately been able to stay with me due to the hours he's put in over the years and not used. IBS, mycraines, too many falls leading to quarterly epidurals due  to my lower back (because of falls) L5 is quickly rubbing bone on bone just two weeks ago as the procedure was done and I had him explain to me where this was going - he said fusion with possible screws - whatever they'd see during the procedural.  Physically this speaks for itself, psychologically it also speaks for itself. On the other hand, nothing is given us what we need under these circumstances.  My husband had to draw all his retirement out so we no longer have our financial security!  If we ever had $1500 a month extra things would not be anywhere close to all of this, yet the State has already and for several months now know they need to return some of our money. Who knows if they even know where their numbers came from.  I do know that we have never had to pay over something like $250-400 Taxes since married - just using those numbers you'd think we could have, if given the chance, made payments, but they sent a letter and started these withdrawals without notice as far as I'm aware.  The last I questioned my husband, (I've been working on not falling apart every week!) he said the State said they'd stop the withdrawal but they would not issue our money they need to return until the Feds finish their work. As of two weeks ago they said they were almost done and get back with him. I have been kidding him for these meetings as many weeks as possible! I feel that if we don't push every single week for over a year now!  Then the last, most recent irritation is a letter from the IRS addressed to ME! For years 2011 and 2013 as finally separately and owe whatever amount of money!  I placed a call today when I received a certified letter from them again! their "final" communication until - I don't know what!!  I have never filed separately, since our marriage we have ALWAYS filed together! So now we have this going on!!!! WHAT IN THE WORLD!  Lady on the phone said she see on their records I've filed separately - she aid she would make a note and have someone get back with me.  The first letter, my husband took with him the last time he met with them about 3 weeks ago - they said not to worry about it, they'd take care of it.  Please help - I turn 65 this year, my husband turns 66 in June, we truly have always been as truthful as necessary and going through living barely from week to week has been a very hard strain on us.  I have had some savings I'd put away and was able to have a good Christmas and we started $ pulled starting 3 years ago towards a vacation cruise we are taking in February that was of God for a time to get away from everything.  We both are hopeful the Feds will accept maybe the same amount he thought the State would release, he really doesn't know - supposedly around $4000 - which I think is stealing, they held 1500 x 11 months = 16,500. THEY can keep our $ without penalties or fines but NEVER would we, the middle-class (lower) citizens could expect the same privilege.  We have done everything as honestly as possible!  Is there really anything we can do!!?