Can I refinance my mortgage if I owe the IRS?
James Williams
Published Feb 21, 2026
If there is a federal tax lien on your home, you must satisfy the lien before you can sell or refinance your home. Taxpayers or lenders also can ask that a federal tax lien be made secondary to the lending institution’s lien to allow for the refinancing or restructuring of a mortgage.
Can I close on a house if I owe the IRS?
Yes, you may be able to get an FHA loan even if you owe tax debt. But you’ll need to go through a manual underwriting process to make this happen. During this process, the lender looks for proof that you have a valid agreement to repay the IRS.
Can you refinance with back taxes?
In all likelihood, you will have to pay off any back taxes you owe as a condition for getting approved for refinancing. Let the bank or mortgage company know up front that you owe back taxes on the property. Your lender may be more willing to work with you if you are honest about your situation from the start.
Can a tax lien be discharged for refinancing?
If the home is being sold for less than the lien amount, the taxpayer can request the IRS discharge the lien to allow for the completion of the sale. Taxpayers or lenders also can ask that a federal tax lien be made secondary to the lending institution’s lien to allow for the refinancing…
How does a refinance affect your tax return?
The IRS views refinances a bit differently compared to when you take out your first mortgage. In other words, the IRS sees refinances as a type of debt restructuring. This means that the deductions and credits you can claim with a refinance are less robust than when you originally took out your loan.
Do you get a tax deduction for refinancing your home?
Taxpayers who refinanced their homes may be eligible to deduct some costs associated with their loans, according to the IRS. Generally, for taxpayers who itemize, the “points” paid to obtain a home mortgage may be deductible as mortgage interest.
Do you have to pay interest on cash out refinance?
As you can see, the cash you get from this kind of refinance isn’t “free money.” It’s a form of debt that you must pay interest on over time. The IRS doesn’t view the money you take from a cash-out refinance as income – instead, it’s considered an additional loan.