IRS Tax Lien Filed Against You? Get Legal Help Now

An IRS tax lien instantly changes your financial situation. It blocks refinancing, complicates property sales, and signals to every lender who runs your record that the IRS got there first. Leave it unresolved, and the IRS has options that get significantly worse than the lien. 

Liens can often be removed, reduced, or managed when you know how to approach them. Having the right tax attorney on your side is the best strategy to protect your finances. 

Seattle Legal Services, PLLC handles federal tax lien cases across the Seattle area and throughout Washington State, from straightforward lien releases to complex negotiations with the IRS. We also help with all other tax problems.

You’re in the Right Place If…

Wondering if you can benefit from our IRS tax lien services? We can help if you’re dealing with:

• A federal tax lien filed against personal or business assets
• Multiple liens from several tax years
• Liens blocking a real estate sale or refinance
• Business tax liens affecting operations or financing
• Liens that could escalate into levies without intervention
• Disputed or incorrectly filed lien notices

Many clients who contact us fear the worst. However, with the right professional support and guidance, we’ll help you find a clear action plan. 

What a Federal Tax Lien Means

When you owe unpaid taxes and don’t resolve the debt, the IRS files a Notice of Federal Tax Lien. This gives the government a legal claim over everything you own, including your home, your car, your business assets, your financial accounts, and anything you acquire in the future. 

The lien is a public record, meaning anybody who does a financial check on you, including title companies and lenders, can see it. The immediate effects can include rejected loan applications and blocked real estate transactions.

If you don’t take action to resolve a lien, it can swiftly lead to levy action. At this point, the IRS moves from claiming your assets to actually seizing them. Choosing to work with a tax lien lawyer gives you the opportunity to resolve the lien before things go any further.

When Do You Need IRS Tax Lien Help?

Here’s an overview of how we help with different types of situations. Reach out for help if you’re experiencing the following:

You have an IRS tax lien filed against you 

If the IRS has filed a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, it’s in the public record and attached to everything you own. Reaching out to a tax lien lawyer is the smartest way to limit the potential financial damage and open up more resolution options. 

You have multiple liens from several tax years

If you’ve accumulated liens from more than one tax year, you will need a coordinated strategy. Dealing with them one by one rarely works and can quickly become complicated. Seeking out professional IRS tax lien help can help you determine the right course of action.

You have liens blocking a real estate sale or refinance

Your property transactions will stall when you have a federal lien attached to your name, but there are resolution options. If you can pay off the debt, you can get the lien released. Otherwise, you may be able to get a lien discharge for a specific property or a subordination to allow financing to go ahead. Both of these options mean negotiating with the IRS – that’s where we come in.

Your business tax liens are affecting operations or financing

If you have a lien against your business, it can freeze credit lines, complicate vendor relationships, and make it challenging to secure new contracts. For most business owners, the right IRS tax lien help is exactly what they need to keep the doors open. 

Your liens are approaching a levy risk 

When you don’t address a lien, it can lead to levy action. That means the IRS moves from claiming assets to seizing them. If you’ve already received escalating notices, the risk is imminent, and your window to act is closing. A federal tax lien attorney can look at your available resolution options and find the right path forward. 

You have disputed or incorrectly filed lien notices 

The IRS files liens in error more than most people realize. If you believe that the underlying assessment is wrong or that the lien was filed incorrectly, there are formal channels you can use to challenge it. We can support you in this process.

What are the Risks of Ignoring a Tax Lien?

When faced with a tax lien, you may be tempted to do nothing and hope that it goes away. However, if you don’t attempt to resolve your tax lien, you could face the following problems: 

• Borrowing more money becomes difficult or impossible.
• You can’t sell or refinance property without first resolving a lien.
• The IRS can upgrade the enforcement to wage garnishments or bank levies.
• Interest and penalties continue to compound, increasing the debt you owe.
• Your resolution options narrow the longer the debt goes unaddressed.

Taking action is the only way to protect your financial future. We provide expert-backed IRS lien help to help you resolve the issue and get compliant. 

How Seattle Legal Services Resolves Tax Lien Cases

Every case starts with a full review of your lien status and tax account. Our goal is to understand precisely what you’re dealing with and select the fastest viable path to resolution. Our team will identify the lien details, the underlying debt, and any IRS actions in progress. 

Then, we’ll develop a solid strategy based on your financial condition. You can relax as we handle all of the communication and negotiation. Our team manages the whole process from start to finish, whilst keeping you informed at every turn. 

Tax Lien Resolution Options 

The tax lien resolution options depend entirely on your circumstances. Our team will work with you to find the most effective strategy for you. The main approaches are: 

Full payment and lien release

Paying the tax debt you owe will trigger a lien release. The IRS typically takes up to 30 days to release the lien, which means your financial status returns to normal. 

Installment agreement 

This is a structured payment plan that can, in some cases, affect your lien status. It can also help to prevent further enforcement, giving you the chance to pay down your debt. 

Offer in Compromise (OIC) 

An OIC is a settlement with the IRS, allowing you to pay less than the full amount you owe. However, qualifying for this depends on your income, assets, and expenses. Your best chance of success is in working with an attorney who understands the process. 

Lien withdrawal

In some specific circumstances, the IRS may withdraw a lien entirely, as if it were never filed. If you believe the lien was filed either prematurely or in error, we can help you secure a withdrawal. We can also get a withdrawal after a release or by setting up payments if your balance is under a certain threshold.

Lien subordination 

This allows another creditor to take priority over the IRS lien. It can make refinancing possible when the lien is active. To be approved, you have to demonstrate that the subordination either helps you pay the tax debt or increases the value of the government’s interest in your assets. 

Discharge of specific property 

This action removes a particular asset from the reach of the lien. In some scenarios, you may be able to use it to allow a real estate transaction to proceed. 

Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing 

If you’ve received a notice of lien filing, you have the right to challenge it or negotiate alternatives through the appeals process. However, you have 30 days from the original notice to request a CDP hearing. If you miss that window, you can not request a CDP hearing. However, you may still be able to request an equivalent hearing, which gives you opinions, although it isn’t as advantageous as a CDP hearing.

Deciding on the right strategy is the first step to tax lien resolution. At Seattle Legal Services, PLLC, we consider your finances, the size of your debt, and what you’re trying to protect.

When to Hire a Tax Lien Attorney

Getting professional IRS tax lien help is important when: 

• The IRS has already filed a lien, and you’ve received a notice.
• The lien is affecting a real estate transaction or major financial decision. 
• You’ve tried to resolve it directly with the IRS but were unable to. 
• You’re at risk of escalation to levies or even seizure.
• You’re uncertain about what your lien resolution options are.

If you’re already in compliance, have no lien filed against you, or are able to pay the full debt immediately, you may not need an attorney. For everything else, representation makes a meaningful difference to both the eventual outcome and the resolution timeline.

Why Choose Seattle Legal Services, PLLC

At Seattle Legal Services, PLLC, we have years of experience handling IRS lien resolution cases. Our team understands IRS procedures and the most effective negotiation strategies to get you relief. 

We are an attorney-led firm, offering a strategic, individualized approach, tailored to your financial situation and priorities. You can expect to always know where your case stands, thanks to our clear communication from start to finish. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

How do I remove a federal tax lien?

Your removal options depend on your situation. They typically include paying the debt in full, qualifying for a lien withdrawal, or resolving the balance through an OIC or installment agreement. An attorney can assess which of these paths works best for your case.

Can a tax lien be withdrawn?

Yes, but only under certain conditions. The IRS can withdraw a lien if it was filed in error, if it’s in the best interests of both parties, and in some other cases. This removes the public record of the lien. For this complex process, we recommend working closely with a lien tax attorney. 

How long does an IRS lien last?

A federal lien lasts 10 years from the date of assessment in most cases, but state tax liens may last longer. When you have a lien filed against you, the best solution is to resolve the underlying debt. 

Will a lien affect my credit or financing?

Yes. The Notice of Federal Tax Lien appears in public records, which impacts your ability to borrow, refinance, or sell a property. However, the lien will not appear on your credit report.

Can I sell my home with a tax lien?

A lien can complicate real estate transactions, but that doesn’t always mean they are impossible. In some cases, the IRS will discharge a specific property from the lien to allow a sale to proceed. However, you will need an attorney to help you negotiate this.

Act Now to Remove your IRS Tax Lien 

An IRS tax lien doesn’t go away by itself. The longer you ignore the problem, the more it can cost you in credit damage, financial restrictions, and risk of escalation. At Seattle Legal Services, PLLC, we are experienced in resolving IRS lien issues. Contact us today, and we’ll assess your situation and give you a clear picture of your options.