Tax Liens

Facing a federal tax lien? You have options to resolve it.

A federal tax lien is the government's legal claim against your property when you owe back taxes. It can make it difficult to sell or refinance, and it signals to other creditors that the IRS has a stake in what you own. We help you understand the lien, pursue the right way to remove or reduce its impact, and resolve the debt behind it.

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Understanding Tax Liens

What a Federal Tax Lien Means

A federal tax lien is a legal claim the IRS places on your property when a tax debt goes unpaid after the IRS has assessed it and sent a demand for payment. It is not the same as a levy. A lien does not take your property. It secures the government's interest in it, attaching to real estate, personal property, and financial assets you own now or acquire later.

The practical effect of a lien shows up when you try to sell or refinance, since the IRS's claim generally has to be satisfied first. A lien can also complicate getting certain loans. While the major credit bureaus no longer include tax liens on consumer credit reports, the public record of a lien can still surface in other ways that affect how lenders and counterparties see you.

A lien can be addressed in several ways. Paying or formally resolving the debt leads the IRS to release the lien. In specific situations the IRS will also withdraw a lien, subordinate it so another lien can take priority, or discharge it from a particular piece of property so a sale can close. Which of these applies depends on your circumstances and what you are trying to accomplish.

How We Help

How Global Tax Relief Resolves Tax Liens

Resolving a lien is about both clearing the debt and choosing the right lien remedy for your goal. Here is how we work.

Step 01

Consultation

We start by understanding the lien and the debt behind it: how much you owe, which property the lien attaches to, and what you are trying to do, whether that is selling, refinancing, or simply clearing it. That tells us which remedy fits, whether release, withdrawal, subordination, or discharge.

Step 02

Strategy

From there we build a written plan. That might mean negotiating an installment agreement, pursuing penalty relief, evaluating an Offer in Compromise, or requesting Currently Not Collectible status if paying would create genuine hardship. You see exactly what we recommend, and why, before anything moves forward.

Step 03

Resolution

Once you approve the plan, we deal with the IRS directly. We file any outstanding returns, submit the necessary documentation, and handle the negotiation. You stop fielding the notices and calls, and we keep you informed at every step.

Resolution Options

Resolution Options for a Federal Tax Lien

The right approach depends on the balance, the property involved, and what you are trying to accomplish. These are the most common ways to deal with a federal tax lien.

Release

When the underlying debt is paid or formally resolved, the IRS releases the lien, generally within 30 days. Setting up an installment agreement can also make a lien eligible for withdrawal in some cases, which removes the public notice entirely.

Learn about Installment Agreements →

Withdrawal

A withdrawal removes the public Notice of Federal Tax Lien, as if it had not been filed, even though the underlying debt may still be in the process of being paid. The IRS allows this in specific circumstances, including certain installment agreements, and it can meaningfully reduce the lien's practical impact.

Subordination

Subordination does not remove the lien, but it lets another creditor move ahead of the IRS for a specific transaction. This is often what makes it possible to refinance a mortgage when a lien is in place.

Discharge

A discharge removes the lien from a specific piece of property, which can be what allows a home sale to close even before the full balance is resolved. The IRS grants discharges in defined situations tied to the value and equity of the property.

Behind every one of these is the underlying debt, and resolving that, whether by payment, an installment agreement, or an Offer in Compromise for those who qualify, is what ultimately clears the lien. The consultation is where we determine which combination applies to you.

Whether you are trying to sell, refinance, or simply clear it, a consultation is where we map the right path for your lien.

Why Work With Us

Why People Choose Global Tax Relief for Tax Liens

Licensed professionals only

Your case is handled by a licensed CPA, Enrolled Agent, or tax attorney with the authority to represent you directly before the IRS. No call-center reps, no commission-driven sales staff.

Transparent, upfront pricing

We quote the cost in writing before any engagement begins, in plain language, so you know exactly what you're committing to before you decide.

Honest assessment

We tell you what actually applies to your situation, including when a dramatic settlement is not realistic. We would rather give you the honest picture than an overpromise.

Tax Liens: Common Questions

Honest answers to the questions we hear most often about federal tax liens.

Does a tax lien hurt my credit score?

Federal tax liens are no longer included on the major consumer credit reports, but that does not mean a lien has no impact. Because a lien is a public claim against property, it can still affect lending, refinancing, selling property, and how certain creditors or counterparties evaluate your situation.

Can I sell my house if there is a tax lien on it?

Possibly. In many cases the lien must be addressed before or during the sale. Depending on the equity, balance owed, and transaction details, the IRS may require payment from the sale proceeds or may consider a discharge that allows the property to transfer.

What is the difference between a lien and a levy?

A lien is a legal claim against your property. It does not take the property by itself. A levy is an actual seizure of property or funds, such as money from a bank account or wages from a paycheck. A lien protects the IRS's interest, while a levy collects.

How do I get a tax lien removed?

The most common path is to resolve the underlying tax debt so the IRS releases the lien. In some cases, the IRS may withdraw the public notice, subordinate the lien for a specific transaction, or discharge it from a particular property. The right path depends on your goal.

Will the IRS refile or renew a lien?

The IRS can take additional action if the tax debt remains unresolved and the collection period is still open. This is why it is important to address both the lien and the balance behind it, rather than only focusing on the public notice.

View all FAQs →

Let's find the right way to clear your tax lien.

A 30-minute conversation can tell you which lien remedy fits your situation and how to resolve the debt behind it. No obligation, and no pressure to commit.

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