A notice of tax lien is a public notification that a government entity, typically the IRS, has secured a legal claim against a taxpayer’s assets. It is issued when a taxpayer fails to pay taxes that they owe. This notification affects the taxpayer’s credit score and limits their ability to access financial assets.
If you receive a notice of tax lien, it’s important to understand what it means and what effect it can have on your financial and credit health. Let’s dive into understanding what a notice of tax lien is, the effect it could have on your credit, and possible options for dealing with a lien.
What Is a Notice of Tax Lien?
A notice of tax lien is a written notice that is given to the taxpayer which states that the government, usually the IRS, has claimed legal rights to your assets. The notice will include information about the amount of taxes you owe and what assets can be considered a part of the lien. It’s filed with a local courthouse and can last for up to ten years.
Once a lien is issued, the government cannot access funds in your accounts, but it can freeze assets such as property or real estate, which means you can’t use them to secure other loans or credit.
What Is the Effect of a Tax Lien on My Credit?
Anytime a notice of tax lien is associated with your name, it will potentially negatively impact your credit score. The lien will appear on your credit report and remain there for up to seven years. This is why it’s important to address the lien as soon as possible.
How much the notice of tax lien affects your credit score will depend on a number of factors, such as the amount of taxes owed, the length of time the taxes remain unpaid, and the amount of time that the lien is associated with your name.
What to Do if You Receive a Notice of Tax Lien?
The best thing to do if you receive a notice of tax lien is to address it right away. The first step is to contact the IRS and work on arranging a payment plan or other resolution. Depending on your circumstances, the IRS may be willing to waive all or some of the taxes owed.
If this isn’t an option, you may be able to use what’s called a lien subordination, which is an agreement that allows you to temporarily delay the government’s lien so that you can use your collateral to secure loans or credit.
Finally, you may be able to pay off the taxes owed in full and then have the lien released. This will remove the lien from your credit report and allow you to avoid the negative impacts on your score.
Conclusion
No one wants to receive a notice of tax lien, but if you do, it’s important to take the right steps to address the lien swiftly. You can work with the IRS to negotiate payment arrangements, use lien subordination, or pay off the taxes in full. Above all else, this is an important situation and should be taken seriously in order to protect your financial health.