Criminal Tax Issues

It is a public document filed by the IRS to alert creditors that the government has a legal right to your property. It secures the tax debt against your current and future assets, damaging your credit and title.

Yes. While credit bureaus no longer list tax liens on standard consumer credit reports, lenders still search public records. A filed lien significantly damages your ability to get a mortgage, car loan, or business financing.

Not necessarily. The lien secures the government’s interest. An actual seizure requires a separate action called a levy. However, the lien is a clear warning that enforced collection (levy) is the likely next step.

A tax lien generally lasts for 10 years from the date the tax was assessed (the Collection Statute Expiration Date). However, this period can be extended by bankruptcy, Offer in Compromise applications, or CDP hearings.

Yes, in specific cases. If you owe under $25,000 and enter into a Direct Debit Installment Agreement, you may qualify to have the lien withdrawn after making three consecutive direct debit payments.

The IRS lien attaches to the property. You generally cannot transfer a clear title unless the IRS is paid from the sale proceeds or issues a “Certificate of Discharge” for that specific property.

Bankruptcy may discharge personal liability for older income taxes, but it often does not remove a recorded tax lien from property you owned before filing. The lien typically survives the bankruptcy.