Tax Liens

What are tax liens?

Tax liens are legal claims the IRS places on your property such as homes, vehicles, or financial assets to secure unpaid tax debt. A lien doesn’t mean immediate seizure but gives the IRS priority over other creditors, potentially affecting your ability to sell or refinance assets until the debt is resolved.

Why are tax liens a concern?

Tax liens create financial and legal challenges by:

• Limiting your ability to sell, refinance, or borrow against property.
• Damaging your credit score, impacting loan approvals or interest rates.
• Remaining in place until the tax debt is paid or negotiated, often for years.

They typically follow unpaid back taxes, unfiled returns, or ignored IRS notices, requiring action to remove or resolve.

Options for removing tax liens

You can address tax liens in several ways:

• Do it yourselfRequest a lien release or withdrawal by submitting Form 14134 or contacting the IRS, proving the debt is paid, negotiating a payment plan, or showing hardship. This requires understanding IRS criteria, gathering financial documents, and meeting deadlines. Errors can delay resolution or lead to denial.
• Work with the IRS directlyCall or write to the IRS to negotiate, providing income and expense details to remove the lien. This demands precise preparation and knowledge of IRS rules, which can be challenging without expertise.
• Hire a tax professional (recommended)A professional is the best way to remove tax liens. They assess your situation, submit the necessary forms, and negotiate with the IRS to release or withdraw the lien. If your tax debt includes penalties or multiple years, a professional can also resolve the underlying debt through payment plans or other relief programs.

Last updated October 15, 2026.