1. Who can seize an account and why
Seizure or recovery from an account is possible on several grounds:
- Enforcement proceedings — private (PEO) and state (SEO) enforcement officers act on the basis of enforcement documents (court decisions, court orders) for debts: loans, alimony, fines, damages.
- Tax debt — the state revenue authorities may suspend debit operations and recover for non-payment of taxes and social payments.
You can find out whether enforcement proceedings exist against you on the egov.kz portal and in the enforcement officers' databases.
2. How much can be deducted: the 50% rule
The Law "On Enforcement Proceedings and the Status of Enforcement Officers" (Article 95) sets an important safeguard: when recovering from a debtor's wages or other income, at least 50% must be preserved for the debtor. This means your entire salary or income cannot be deducted — half stays with the debtor. A seizure of an account into which salary is paid also cannot be imposed in full.
3. Which money cannot be recovered
The law protects earmarked and social funds. Not subject to recovery, in particular:
- state benefits and social payments;
- alimony received for the maintenance of children;
- compensation payments established by law;
- funds in accounts where recovery is prohibited by the rules on banks, pension provision and social insurance.
If exactly such money is paid into a "seized" account, recovery from it is unlawful — this can be challenged.
4. What to do if your card is seized
- Find out the ground: get the enforcement-proceedings number and the contacts of the enforcement officer (via egov.kz or the bank).
- Prove the nature of the funds: prepare documents showing that the account receives salary, self-employed income, a benefit or alimony.
- File an application with the enforcement officer to lift or reduce the seizure, taking into account the 50% preservation rule and the list of protected payments.
- If you disagree with the officer's actions, appeal them to a senior official or to the court.
- Consider agreeing on a repayment schedule — this often lifts the seizure faster.
5. How to reduce the risk
Do not ignore debts and court notices — most seizures happen precisely because of inaction. Check your debts on egov.kz from time to time, pay taxes and social payments on time (for the self-employed this is automated in e-Salyq Business), and where possible receive social payments into a separate account so their nature is obvious.
This material is based on the Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Law No. 214-VIII of 18 July 2025, effective 1 January 2026), Government Resolution No. 994 of 21 November 2025 and other current acts. Current as of June 2026. This is not legal advice — verify decisions against egov.kz, the State Revenue Committee and primary sources.