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Both tax attorneys and CPAs can represent you before the IRS for a federal tax lien case. The right choice depends on the nature of your case. Tax attorneys are essential for Tax Court litigation, criminal tax exposure, and complex legal disputes. CPAs are typically the better fit for resolution-focused cases that involve financial analysis,
Tax Lien Attorney vs. CPA: Who Should Handle Your IRS Lien Case? Read More »
The IRS Fresh Start Program changed federal tax lien rules in two significant ways. First, the IRS raised its lien filing threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, meaning taxpayers who owe less than $10,000 generally will not have a lien filed against them. Second, Fresh Start created a pathway for lien withdrawal (not just release) for taxpayers
IRS Fresh Start Program and Federal Tax Liens: Do You Qualify? Read More »
Filing bankruptcy can eliminate your personal obligation to pay a tax debt. But the federal tax lien attached to your property is a separate legal claim, and it does not automatically disappear when the debt is discharged. In a Chapter 7 case, the lien remains on any property you owned at the time of filing.
Federal Tax Lien and Bankruptcy: What Survives Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Read More »
A federal tax lien generally lasts 10 years from the date the IRS assesses your tax liability, not from the tax year itself and not from the date you filed your return. This 10-year window is governed by the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED) under IRC Section 6502. However, the actual duration can be shorter
How Long Does a Federal Tax Lien Last? CSED, Refiling, and Expiration. Read More »
A federal tax lien subordination allows another creditor (typically a mortgage lender) to move ahead of the IRS in priority, making it possible to refinance. A federal tax lien discharge removes the lien from a specific piece of property, making it possible to sell with a clear title. These are two separate IRS mechanisms with
Federal Tax Lien Subordination and Discharge: Selling or Refinancing With a Lien Read More »
IRS Form 12277, officially titled “Application for Withdrawal of Filed Form 668(Y),” is the form you use to request that the IRS withdraw a Notice of Federal Tax Lien from public records. A withdrawal is different from a release. A withdrawal removes the lien filing entirely, as if it were never recorded, while a release
IRS Form 12277: How to Request a Federal Tax Lien Withdrawal Read More »
A federal tax lien no longer appears on your credit report. In April 2018, the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) stopped including tax liens on consumer credit reports as part of a data accuracy initiative called the National Consumer Assistance Plan. This means a federal tax lien will not directly lower your
Does a Federal Tax Lien Affect Your Credit Score? Read More »
Yes. A federal tax lien attaches to your home, bank accounts, business assets, vehicles, investments, and any property you acquire in the future. The lien is not limited to one asset. Once the IRS files a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, it creates a legal claim against virtually everything you own and everything you will
Can the IRS Put a Lien on Your House, Bank Account, or Business? Read More »
A federal tax lien is the government’s legal claim against your property when you fail to pay a tax debt. The IRS files a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) after assessing a tax balance, sending you a bill, and receiving no response. The lien attaches to all of your assets, including real estate, vehicles,
What Is a Federal Tax Lien and Why Did the IRS File One Against You? Read More »