How can I find out if the IRS has a lien on my house?
James Craig
Published Feb 11, 2026
The IRS has a department called the Centralized Lien Unit that you can contact at (800) 913-6050, and you will be able to find out if the IRS has placed a lien on your property.
How long can a lien stay on your credit report?
Tax liens used to appear on your credit reports maintained by the three national credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax). Even if you paid the lien, it stayed on your reports for up to seven years, while unpaid liens remained on your reports for up to 10 years.
What happens if you have a tax lien on Your House?
Property Tax Liens: If you owe property taxes, the government may put a lien on your home. This type of lien generally takes precedent over other liens. If the taxes aren’t paid, the property could be sold in a tax sale. You and your mortgage lender may lose your interest in the home if this happens. How Do You Do a Property Lien Search?
When does a federal tax lien need to be filed?
The lien protects the government’s interest in all your property, including real estate, personal property and financial assets. A federal tax lien exists after: Neglect or refuse to fully pay the debt in time. The IRS files a public document, the Notice of Federal Tax Lien, to alert creditors that the government has a legal right to your property.
When does the government put a lien on a property?
Property Tax Liens When land or homeowners fail to pay their property taxes, the municipal government has the right to place a lien on the property. This means the owner can’t refinance or sell the property without satisfying the debt to remove the lien. The government issues a tax lien certificate when the lien is placed on the property.
Where can I find a tax lien on a vacant property?
You can find tax liens on vacant land sometimes for less than $100. Tax lien certificates on modest developed properties can start at only a few hundred dollars. In addition, as a tax lien investor, the possibility exists that the owner may fail to redeem – may fail to pay their indebtedness – and you can foreclose on the property.
