If you are struggling with the payment of a debt, consider hiring a Washington DC IRS lien resolution lawyer. An IRS lien is a security interest over property to secure the payment of a debt. For example, in the case of a home mortgage, the bank files a mortgage lien on the property until the mortgage is fully paid. A federal tax lien is created after the IRS assesses the tax liability and the taxpayer fails to pay the tax within 10 days of IRS written notice. This lien covers all the taxpayer’s real and personal property (i.e. house and car) as well as rights to property (i.e. wages and bank accounts). It is called a secret lien because it not public information. The IRS lien has a 10-year statute of limitation subject to tolling events, such as filing an Offer in Compromise, requesting a Collection Due Process (CDP) Hearing or filing for bankruptcy. If the amount of tax due is over $10,000 the IRS is more likely to file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL). The NFTL is filed in the county courthouse where the taxpayer resides. The NFTL gives the IRS priority over subsequent creditors. You may be able to resolve this situation with counsel from a lien lawyer.

CDP Hearing Rights and Subordination

The IRS is required to send the taxpayer a copy of the NFTL along with CDP Hearing Rights. The CDP Hearing is held with IRS Appeals, which is independent from the compliance side of the IRS. In this Hearing the taxpayer can challenge the legality of the NFTL if IRS procedures were not filed. Also, the taxpayer could request a collection alternative to the lien. The taxpayer can request specific property (i.e. personal residence) to be discharged from the IRS lien to allow the taxpayer to make a payment on the underlying tax debt. However, the tax lien will still be in effect on the taxpayer’s remaining property.

Another option is for the taxpayer to request subordination of the tax lien to allow other creditors to move ahead of the IRS’ security interest. Subordination may make it easier to get a loan or mortgage. The IRS will maintain its security interest in position with the remaining creditors. If the taxpayer can pay down the tax balance to under $25,000, he or she can request a lien withdrawal after entering a direct debit installment agreement to fully pay the tax due within the earlier period of 60 months or the expiration of the collection statute of limitations. A lien lawyer could further explain how an individual should go about getting their tax lien released.

Learn More from a Washington DC IRS Lien Resolution Attorney

For assistance getting rid of an IRS tax lien, place a call to a skilled tax lawyer today.

Attorney John Pontius

Pontius Tax Law, PLLC is a tax law firm that strives to resolve sensitive tax problems through trust, dedication and value. The law firm was founded by John Pontius with offices in Washington, DC,  Rockville, MD, Bethesda, MD, Fairfax, VA, and Alexandria, VA. Mr. Pontius represents individual and business clients with sensitive and serious tax matters before the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities. His client base is local, national, and international.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Pontius has represented businesses and individuals with complex tax issues in the following areas: FBAR examinations, offshore and domestic disclosures, FATCA, FIRPTA, tax planning, unfiled tax returns, release of tax liens and levies, trust fund recovery penalty, IRS and state audit examinations, as well as appeals, penalty abatement, U.S. Tax Court litigation, along with defense of tax fraud and evasion. If you require assistance from a tax lawyer, contact Mr. Pontius to discuss your situation.

Testimonials
Client Reviews
John helped us with a DC tax audit and succeeded in getting us a "no change" final decision. The issues were related to two flow-through entities and the use of carry-forward operating losses -- something that the DC auditors struggled to understand and with which they did not have any...
Paul A
Mr. Pontius is extremely professional and was able to take care of my tax returns which includes international bank accounts quickly and at a very reasonable price. Would definitely recommend.
Karl
I received a fee this past November from the IRS for over $800 because of an error I made on my 2016 taxes. I called my cousin, John Pontius, and he immediately knew what steps needed to be taken. Thanks to him, the fee was cleared. A 10 minute conversation...
A.K.
As an American citizen living in the Middle East my local banker informed me that I needed to file FBARs and report my worldwide income to the IRS. Through the recommendation of another attorney at an international law firm, I was introduced to John Pontius. Mr. Pontius efficiently and effectively...
Kareem S
John handled a difficult IRS lien for my client. He was excellent in getting the lien released so we could close on the property. I would highly recommend John .
Bobbie M
We were seeking tax advice with managing two properties, LLC, as well as some future financial planning. John responded to my call in a timely manner and was happy to answer our questions while referring us to specialists who can manage our accounts on a more regular basis.
Janelle M
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