Tax Lien Assistance
Federal tax liens can damage your credit and make it difficult to sell property or get financing. We help taxpayers get liens released, withdrawn, or subordinated.
Get Help With Your Tax Lien
What is a Federal Tax Lien?
A federal tax lien is the government's legal claim against your property when you fail to pay a tax debt. It attaches to all your assets — your house, car, bank accounts, and even future property.
The IRS files a public Notice of Federal Tax Lien to alert creditors that the government has a legal right to your property. This notice can:
Impact on Credit
While liens no longer appear on credit reports, creditors can still find them through public records, affecting your ability to get loans.
Property Sales
You typically can't sell property with a lien attached without paying off the IRS first or getting a discharge.
Business Credit
Liens can prevent you from getting business loans or lines of credit, limiting growth opportunities.
Refinancing
Most lenders won't refinance a property with a federal tax lien attached to it.
Tax Lien Resolution Options
There are several ways to address a federal tax lien. The right option depends on your situation.
Lien Release
The IRS releases the lien within 30 days of paying your tax debt in full or when the collection period expires.
Best for: Taxpayers who can pay in full
Lien Withdrawal
Removes the public notice as if it was never filed. Available under certain conditions, including setting up a direct debit installment agreement.
Best for: Protecting your credit
Subordination
Doesn't remove the lien, but allows other creditors to move ahead of the IRS. Useful for getting a mortgage or loan.
Best for: Refinancing or new loans
Discharge
Removes the lien from specific property so you can sell it. The lien remains on your other assets.
Best for: Selling specific property
Lien Withdrawal Under Fresh Start
The IRS Fresh Start Initiative made it easier for taxpayers to get their tax liens withdrawn. You may qualify if you:
- Owe $25,000 or less (or can pay down to this amount)
- Enter into a Direct Debit Installment Agreement
- Make three consecutive direct debit payments
- Are current with all tax filings
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a federal tax lien?
A federal tax lien is the government's legal claim against your property that arises when you have unpaid tax debt. Once the IRS files a public Notice of Federal Tax Lien, it attaches to everything you own — your home, vehicles, bank accounts, business assets, and even property you acquire after the lien is filed. It serves as a public record that tells other creditors the IRS has a legal interest in your assets.
How do I get rid of a tax lien?
There are several paths to resolving a federal tax lien. The most straightforward is paying your tax debt in full, which triggers a lien release within 30 days. You can also have the lien removed if the IRS accepts an Offer in Compromise to settle your debt for less than you owe. In some cases, you may qualify for a lien withdrawal through the IRS Fresh Start Initiative by entering into a direct debit installment agreement. Finally, if you can wait it out, the IRS has a 10-year statute of limitations on collecting tax debt, after which the lien expires on its own.
What's the difference between lien withdrawal, subordination, discharge, and release?
These are four distinct actions, each serving a different purpose. A withdrawal removes the public Notice of Federal Tax Lien entirely, as though it was never filed — this is the best outcome for your financial reputation. A subordination keeps the lien in place but allows other creditors to move ahead of the IRS in priority, which can help you qualify for a mortgage or loan. A discharge removes the lien from one specific piece of property (for example, so you can sell your house) while the lien remains on your other assets. A release is what happens when your debt is fully satisfied — the IRS must release the lien within 30 days of payment.
Can a tax lien affect my credit score?
Since 2018, the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) no longer include tax liens on consumer credit reports. So a federal tax lien will not directly lower your credit score the way it used to. However, lien filings are still part of the public record, and lenders, landlords, and other creditors can discover them through a public records search. This means a lien can still make it harder to get approved for loans, mortgages, or rental applications even if your credit score itself is unaffected.
Will the IRS file a lien on my state taxes too?
The IRS only files liens for federal tax debts. However, if you owe state taxes as well, your state's tax authority can file its own separate lien against your property. State and federal liens operate independently of each other, so resolving one does not automatically resolve the other. Some states are particularly aggressive about filing liens, sometimes even more so than the IRS. If you have both federal and state tax debt, it is important to address each one separately.
How long does a tax lien last?
A federal tax lien remains in effect until the underlying debt is resolved. This can happen in one of three ways: you pay the balance in full, the IRS accepts an Offer in Compromise to settle the debt, or the IRS's 10-year collection statute of limitations expires. The 10-year clock starts from the date the tax was assessed, not from when the lien was filed. Keep in mind that certain actions — such as filing for bankruptcy or submitting an Offer in Compromise — can pause or extend the collection statute.
Can I sell my house if the IRS has filed a lien?
Yes, it is possible to sell your home even with a federal tax lien attached, but it requires an extra step. You would need to apply for a discharge of lien, which removes the lien from that specific property so the sale can go through. In most cases, the IRS will agree to the discharge as long as they receive their share of the proceeds at closing. The IRS generally expects to be paid from the sale before you receive any remaining equity. Working with a tax professional can help ensure the discharge application is handled correctly so your sale is not delayed.
Related Tax Relief Services
Depending on your situation, these services may also help:
IRS Payment Plans
Set up a structured monthly payment plan with the IRS to resolve the underlying tax debt that caused your lien. Once your balance is paid through an installment agreement, the lien is released.
Bank Levy Release
If the IRS has gone beyond filing a lien and has actually seized funds from your bank account, you need immediate help. We can work to get bank levies released and protect your remaining assets.
Offer in Compromise
Settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. When the IRS accepts an Offer in Compromise, your lien is released — often saving you thousands of dollars in the process.
Get Help With Your Tax Lien
Don't let a tax lien hold you back. We'll find the best solution for your situation.