Tax Liens and Tax Levies

What you need to know:

Tax liens are filed by the IRS to secure their right to collect money against you as a priority creditor. For example, you would be unable to utilize any equity you may have in your home without first paying the IRS.
When the IRS files a tax lien, it means that you matter has been placed in active collections and you need to take action to avoid bank levies and wage garnishments. Usually bank levies and wage garnishments follow the filing of a tax lien by about 60 days.
Tax liens will substantially damage your credit score. However, once the underlying tax problem is solved and the tax lien is released, your credit score will be substantially improved.
Once a tax lien is filed, taxpayers have a right to Appeal the filing of the lien. The Appeal can be made on the basis that the tax is not due; or that the tax should be negotiated and settled; or that the filing of the tax lien will hamper your ability to pay the tax and as such, it should be released.
There are two critical times in which to appeal the filing of the tax lien. The first critical time period is 30 days after the filing of the tax lien. Filing an appeal during this period of time will allow for judicial review if the initial appeal to the filing of the tax lien is not successful. The second critical time period is within 1 year after the filing of the tax lien. An appeal filed within 1 year of the tax lien will be heard by the Regional Board of Appeals, however, judicial review is not available.
Once an appeal is filed, the IRS, in most circumstances will cease all collection action until the appeal is considered.
Tax liens do not last forever. Usually, they expire after 10 years from the date the tax was assessed. It is possible that the ten year period can be extended if you have previously filed an Offer-In-Compromise or a Bankruptcy. If your tax lien is very old, it may be ready to expire soon and you then will not have to pay the tax due.