An IRS Tax Lien Is a Public Claim on Everything You Own — Act Now Before It Gets Worse
A federal tax lien attaches to your home, business, and financial assets the moment the IRS files it. Woodside Tax Resolution can fight to get it released, discharged, or withdrawn before it derails your financial future.
No upfront fees. Confidential review. Licensed tax professionals.
What a Federal Tax Lien Really Does to You
Most people don't realize how far-reaching a tax lien is until it's too late. Here's what the IRS filing can cost you.
Destroyed Credit Score
The IRS Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) is filed with your county recorder and becomes a public record, triggering severe drops in your credit rating and making future lending nearly impossible.
Blocked Refinancing & Home Sales
Tax liens attach to all real property you own. You cannot refinance your mortgage or sell your home without first satisfying or arranging release of the lien — a process that can stall or kill transactions.
Business & Asset Encumbrance
Liens extend to business assets, accounts receivable, and equipment. Vendors, banks, and partners can discover the lien through public records, damaging your professional reputation and creditworthiness.
Permanent Public Record
Unlike a private debt, a federal tax lien is publicly searchable. Lenders, landlords, and employers can find it — creating a shadow over every financial transaction you attempt until it is resolved.
Woodside's Lien Resolution Strategies — We Know Every Path Out
Depending on your situation, there are multiple legal strategies available to reduce or eliminate the damage of a federal tax lien. Our licensed tax professionals will determine which approach — or combination — is right for your case.
Lien Release
The most complete outcome: the IRS fully releases the lien once the underlying tax debt is paid, settled via Offer in Compromise, or otherwise resolved. We pursue release as the primary goal and work every legitimate avenue to get you there.
Lien Discharge
A discharge removes the lien from a specific piece of property — most often your home or a business asset — so you can sell or refinance without waiting for full debt resolution. This is particularly valuable when a property sale is pending.
Lien Subordination
Subordination allows another creditor — such as a bank — to move ahead of the IRS lien in priority. This can unlock refinancing or new financing by giving the lender security, even while the lien technically remains in place.
Lien Withdrawal
In certain qualifying cases, the IRS can withdraw the public Notice of Federal Tax Lien entirely, as if it never existed. This is the strongest outcome for credit repair. We evaluate withdrawal eligibility for every client from day one.
Common Questions About IRS Tax Liens
Get clear answers to the questions most taxpayers have when they first discover a lien — or suspect one may be coming.
How do I find out if the IRS has filed a tax lien against me?
The IRS mails a Notice and Demand for Payment before filing a lien. If you missed that notice, the lien may already be on record. You can check your county recorder's office, request a tax transcript from the IRS, or call us — we run a free lien search as part of every initial consultation.
How long does an IRS tax lien last?
A federal tax lien generally remains in effect for 10 years from the date the tax was assessed — the IRS's standard collection statute. However, the IRS can refile the lien to extend it, and certain actions can toll (pause) the clock. Acting quickly is critical to limiting the lien's life and its damage.
Can I sell my house if the IRS has filed a tax lien?
Yes, but the lien must be addressed at or before closing. Typically, lien proceeds are used to pay the IRS, or we negotiate a lien discharge for that specific property so the sale can proceed. We handle this process regularly and can move quickly when a closing deadline is involved.
Will resolving my tax lien fix my credit score?
A lien release or withdrawal removes the public record and signals to credit bureaus that the matter is resolved — this generally improves your credit profile over time. A full withdrawal has the most powerful credit effect, essentially erasing the lien from the public record. We pursue the strongest outcome available for each client.
What's the difference between a tax lien and a tax levy?
A lien is a legal claim against your property — it encumbers your assets but does not yet take them. A levy is the IRS actually seizing your assets, wages, or bank accounts. A lien often precedes a levy; resolving the lien now can prevent a levy from being issued. If you're already facing a levy, see our Prevent Levy & Seizure page.
ACT BEFORE THE DAMAGE GETS WORSE
Every Day a Tax Lien Sits on Your Record, the Cost Grows — Talk to Us Today
IRS tax liens don't wait, and neither should you. The longer a lien stays active, the deeper the damage to your credit, property, and financial options. Woodside Tax Resolution has helped hundreds of taxpayers get liens released, discharged, and withdrawn — and we're ready to help you. Start with a free, no-obligation consultation and find out exactly where you stand.
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